Typically, each of your paychecks shows deductions for Social Security, Medicare, federal tax, and state tax. These items amount to your withholding–the portion of your pay that is withheld. These amounts are sent by your employer to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), an agency of the U.S. government.

At the end of the year, you’ll receive a form that shows the total amounts withheld from you throughout the year. The information on this form will help you complete your tax form, which will determine the size of your tax refund or balance due.