TaxGuided
United States IRC sections

Statute section

IRC section 3401

Definitions (wages)

Country

United States

Section

3401

Updated

2026-05-20

Operative text

Section 3401(a) defines wages for federal income-tax withholding purposes. The definition is broad and includes most cash and non-cash payments by employers, with specific exclusions for de minimis fringe benefits and certain pre-tax retirement plan contributions.

Cross-references

26 U.S.C. 340226 U.S.C. 3121

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Important disclaimer

This library is for general tax education only. Always verify filing obligations, due dates, and tax consequences against the cited primary source or with a qualified tax professional.