which box on w2 shows gross income

On a standard IRS Form W‑2, your gross income from that employer is shown in Box 1 – “Wages, tips, other compensation.”

Quick scoop: what Box 1 actually shows

• Box 1 is your total taxable wages for federal income tax purposes from that employer.

• It generally includes salary, hourly pay, bonuses, taxable fringe benefits, and reported tips.

• It is often less than the “YTD gross” on your final pay stub because pre‑tax deductions (like 401(k), health insurance, FSA, HSA, some commuter benefits) are taken out before Box 1 is calculated.

So, if you’re asking “which box on W2 shows gross income,” look at Box 1 ; that’s the number the IRS treats as your gross (taxable) income from that job for the year.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.