If your New Year's resolution had anything to do with procrastination, budgeting, or organization, then you'll be happy to know that you should have a document that will help. Your W-2 Wage and Tax Statement is probably the easiest and most helpful tax document you'll receive. This form is easy to navigate--consider it your cheat sheet for filing your taxes.

The W-2 Wage and Tax Statement (or simply "W-2") is an important document used mainly for tax purposes. It shows how much money you made and how much you paid in taxes in a calendar year.

If you've had any taxes withheld from your paychecks in the last calendar year, you will receive a W-2 from every employer from that year. You should receive three or four copies of your W-2:

• Copy B--File with your federal income tax return
• Copy C--Keep for your records (the IRS recommends up to seven years)
• Copy 1--File with your state income tax return
• Copy 2--File with your local income tax return

Your employer is required by the IRS to provide your W-2 in a timely manner. If you haven't received your W-2 by February 15, talk to your employer or contact the IRS for assistance.

As soon as you receive your W-2, verify that your employer got all the information correct. Are your name, address, and Social Security number accurate? Does your income on your W-2 match the income on your end-of-the-year pay stub?

If any of the information is incorrect, there are instructions on the back of your W-2 for making corrections. Ask your employer to file a Form W-2c for corrections. Need more help? Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

If you stress about filing taxes when April rolls around, or it's your first year filing, get started now. Set a personal date for filing your taxes (maybe March 15), allowing plenty of time to seek help if you need it. Call the IRS for individual tax questions, or visit irs.gov/localcontacts for some face-to-face help at a local branch. For the computer savvy, the IRS has an online filing system. Visit irs.gov and check out e-file or Free File options.

• Box 1--Your income (how much you earned)
• Box 2--How much federal income tax you paid
• Box 3--How much of your income was taxable for Social Security
• Box 4--How much Social Security tax you paid
• Box 5--How much of your income was taxable for Medicare
• Box 6--How much Medicare tax you paid

NOTE: Box 3 and 5 may be different from Box 1 if you had any deductions (money withheld from your paycheck) that are not taxable. The most common non-taxable deductions are health benefits and retirement contributions.

• Box A--Your Social Security number
• Box B--A crazy number that the IRS has attached to your employer
• Box C--Your employer's name and address (most often the corporate headquarters)
• Box D--Don't worry about this one (it's official mumbo-jumbo)
• Box E/F--Your name and address

Sources: irs.gov; harvard.edu; osc.state.ny.us