Where work to be done is placed within year? (2-4)
I believe the answer is:
in-tray
'where work to be done is placed' is the definition.
(as in an office)
'within year?' is the wordplay.
'within' becomes 'intra' (I've seen this before).
'year?' becomes 'y'.
'intra'+'y'='IN-TRAY'
(Other definitions for in-tray that I've seen before include "Desktop receptacle" , "Shallow container for letters etc" , "Desktop item" , "Place for matters to be dealt with" , "Desktop work holder" .)