What document do employers provide that outlines an individual's wages and taxes?

The correct answer is W-2. This document is provided by employers to their employees at the end of each tax year, summarizing the employee's total earnings and the taxes that have been withheld from their paycheck throughout the year. The W-2 form includes important information such as the employee's gross income, Federal income tax, Social Security contributions, and Medicare taxes paid, which are all necessary for filing income tax returns.

In contrast, while a 1099 form is used for reporting income earned by independent contractors or freelancers rather than employees, a pay stub typically offers a more frequent snapshot of earnings and deductions but does not represent the entirety of the year's tax data. A tax return, on the other hand, is the formal submission to the IRS that individuals use to report their income, deductions, and credits but does not originate from the employer and does not break down wages and taxes in the same detailed format as a W-2.