If I received a severance from an employer, will the taxes that were withheld at the time I received it be included in the federal tax withholding box?

If you are unsure about whether the employer included the tax withheld from your severance in box 2 of your W-2---ask the employer.   It should be in box 2.

A severance package would be considered taxable, and your employer should have withheld federal and state taxes on this payment (and included this on your W-2).

Q. If I received a severance from an employer, will the taxes that were withheld at the time I received it be included in the federal tax withholding box?

A. Yes. That is how it is usually done. 

 

Q. I received a severance that was heavily taxed at the time of receiving it, it doesn't seem like the amount that was withheld is included on my W2.

A. Federal income tax withholding is shown in box 2 of the W-2. the wages are in box 1. If box 2 doesn't look right, what about box 1. It is not unusual for the employer to issue a separate W-2 for the severance.