The W-2 form is an important document in the tax process, but it is not the form used to file taxes — rather, it is a statement provided by your employer that shows how much money you earned during the year and how much tax was withheld from your paychecks. This includes information on wages, tips, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax. Employees use the W-2 to complete Form 1040, but the W-2 itself is not submitted to the IRS as a filing mechanism. Instead, it serves as a supporting document. Mistaking the W-2 as a tax filing form could lead to confusion when preparing your return. Understanding the difference is essential: the W-2 is a wage summary, while Form 1040 is the actual tax return. Knowing how they work together ensures proper filing and helps you avoid missing out on credits or refunds due.