Box 1 — Wages, tips, other compensation
Taxable wages for federal income tax—generally after pre-tax 401(k), HSA, and similar deductions, before income-tax withholding.
What it means
Box 1 is the starting wage figure most people mean when they say “W-2 income.” It usually excludes elective deferrals to a traditional 401(k) and certain cafeteria-plan deductions, so it can be lower than Social Security wages in Box 3. Use Box 1 when estimating federal income tax from a W-2, then add other income from 1099s or Schedule C.
Related glossary: agi