YTD on Your Pay Stub: What Year-to-Date Means and Why It Matters
February 25, 2026
What Does YTD Mean on a Pay Stub?
YTD stands for Year-to-Date. On your pay stub, YTD columns show the running total of everything that has happened with your paycheck from January 1 of the current year through the date of that paycheck.
YTD Columns You'll See
- YTD Gross: Total earnings before any deductions for the year
- YTD Federal Tax: Total federal income tax withheld so far
- YTD State Tax: Total state income tax withheld
- YTD Social Security: Total FICA Social Security tax withheld
- YTD Medicare: Total Medicare tax withheld
- YTD 401(k): Total retirement contributions for the year
- YTD Net: Total take-home pay received all year
How to Use YTD to Verify Your W-2
When you get your W-2, you can cross-check it against your final pay stub of the year:
- W-2 Box 1 (Wages) ≈ YTD Gross minus pretax deductions (401k, FSA, health insurance)
- W-2 Box 2 (Federal withheld) = YTD Federal Tax
- W-2 Box 4 (Social Security) = YTD Social Security
- W-2 Box 6 (Medicare) = YTD Medicare
If these don't match, contact your HR or payroll department before filing your taxes.
YTD and the Social Security Wage Base
Watch your YTD Social Security column as the year goes on. Once your YTD gross hits $176,100 (2026 limit), Social Security tax withholding stops. You'll see it drop to $0 on your pay stub — that's normal and correct.
Why Multiple Jobs Complicate YTD
Each employer tracks YTD separately. If you work two jobs, each employer withholds Social Security tax on wages up to $176,100 — even if your combined income exceeds that. You can claim a credit for the overpaid Social Security tax when you file your return.