W-2
A W-2 is an important tax form that employers in the United States must provide to their employees each year. It shows how much an employee earned and how much was withheld for taxes. When you see this term in resumes or job descriptions, it usually indicates traditional full-time employment where the employer handles tax withholdings, as opposed to contract work or 1099 positions. Recruiters often use "W-2 position" or "W-2 employee" to distinguish regular staff positions from temporary or contract roles.
Examples in Resumes
Managed W-2 processing and distribution for 500+ employees annually
Implemented new W-2 electronic delivery system reducing paper usage by 80%
Coordinated with payroll to ensure accurate W-2 and W2 reporting
Typical job title: "Payroll Specialists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Payroll Specialists
Professional Organizations
Online Resources
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where W-2s were issued with incorrect information?
Expected Answer: Should discuss the process of issuing W-2c forms (correction forms), communicating with employees, updating internal systems to prevent future errors, and ensuring compliance with IRS deadlines.
Q: What process would you implement to ensure W-2 accuracy throughout the year?
Expected Answer: Should explain regular auditing procedures, quarterly reviews of payroll data, employee information verification processes, and system checks to catch discrepancies early.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the key deadlines related to W-2 processing?
Expected Answer: Should know that W-2s must be provided to employees by January 31st, filing deadlines with Social Security Administration, and state-specific requirements if applicable.
Q: How do you handle W-2s for employees who worked in multiple states?
Expected Answer: Should explain multi-state taxation basics, how to properly allocate wages, and the process of issuing separate W-2s or combined reporting as required.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What basic information appears on a W-2 form?
Expected Answer: Should list essential elements like employee and employer information, wages earned, federal and state taxes withheld, and social security/medicare withholdings.
Q: What's the difference between a W-2 employee and a 1099 contractor?
Expected Answer: Should explain that W-2 employees have taxes withheld by employer and receive benefits, while 1099 contractors are responsible for their own taxes and typically don't receive benefits.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of W-2 forms and requirements
- Data entry and verification
- Customer service for basic employee inquiries
- Filing and documentation
Mid (2-5 years)
- Processing W-2s for medium-sized organizations
- Handling corrections and adjustments
- Multi-state tax knowledge
- Payroll software proficiency
Senior (5+ years)
- Managing enterprise-level W-2 processing
- Implementation of W-2 procedures and policies
- Training and supervising staff
- Advanced tax compliance knowledge
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unfamiliarity with basic tax forms and deadlines
- Lack of attention to detail in data entry
- No experience with payroll software
- Poor understanding of compliance requirements
- Limited knowledge of tax withholding rules
Related Terms
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