What To Do Before You Prepare Annual W-2 Forms

Make sure you're ready to file.

businesswoman working at office desk
Photo:

Hero Images / Getty Images 

Employers are required to send a report to each of their employees every year showing the employee’s total wages and deductions. Employees can then include this information on their income tax returns. The report is a W-2 form, and it must also be filed with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Numerous tax rules apply to completing, distributing, and filing these forms. It can help to understand the requirements and deadlines before you begin preparing them.

Key Takeaways

  • Form W-2 reports an employee’s total wages and deductions for the year, as well as taxes you withheld from their pay and submitted to the government on their behalf.
  • Information for the form is calculated using the data provided to you on Form W-4, which each of your employees should have submitted to you when they began working for you.
  • A Form W-2 must be distributed to each employee and filed with the Social Security Administration, usually by Jan. 31 of the year following the tax year.
  • The IRS provides detailed instructions for filling out Form W-2.

Correctly Classify Your Workers

The IRS requires that you classify your workers correctly: employee or independent contractor. It can impose fines and penalties if the worker you pay as an independent contractor should be paid as an employee. 

An Employee

Anyone who performs services for an organization is generally an employee if the organization can control the work they do and how and when it will be done.

An Independent Contractor

An independent contractor is, by the IRS' definition, someone who offers services to the general public and has control over how they do their work and what work they'll do.

Check the Distribution and Filing Deadline

Two steps are involved in the W-2 process. The first step is distributing the W-2 forms to employees. The second step is filing these forms with the SSA.

The deadline for sending W-2 forms to employees and filing the forms with the SSA is usually January 31 of the year after the tax year.

Tip

It might be a good idea to give employees their forms early in January so they have time to review them and you can fix any errors before you file with the SSA.

Check Employee W-4 Forms

You're required to have a W-4 form on file for all employees at all times. Make sure your employees have entered accurate and up-to-date information on the Forms W-4 they filled out for you.

The form includes information necessary for:

  • Determining the amount of an employee's federal income tax withholding
  • Using marital status
  • Knowing the employee's number of dependents
  • Any additional amounts to be withheld

Tip

The IRS suggests you give the employee the IRS withholding calculator that they can use to figure out their withholding amount if they need help completing the form.

Form W-4 must be completed at hire and at any time the employee needs to make a change to their tax status. The employee should change the W-4 form if their personal information changes, such as their marital status and number of dependents, or if their address changes. The employee may also change the W-4 form at any time simply to alter the amount of withholding.

You should ask all employees to review their W-4 form before the end of each year to make sure the personal information is accurate. 

Gather Payroll Information

You’ll need some basic information about your company for all W-2 forms:

  • Your company's employer ID number
  • The name, address, and zip code of the business
  • Your company's state tax identification number (if applicable)

You’ll also have to gather personal and payroll information about each employee for the tax year:

Preparing the W-2 Forms

Form W-2 has several copies:

  • Copy A (special red print ) is for the Social Security Administration
  • Copy 1 is for you to file with the state, city, or local tax department
  • Copy B is for the employee to use when filing their federal tax return
  • Copy C is for the employee's records
  • Copy 2 is for the employee's state, city, or local tax department
  • Copy D is for your records

Take your time with each form if you’re preparing the W-2 forms yourself. Be sure you’ve entered all information accurately and in the correct boxes.

Important

The IRS requests that you use black ink in 12-point Courier font when filling out Copy A.

Follow the IRS instructions for W-2 forms to make sure that you don’t miss anything. Check the forms for errors to minimize the possibility that you’ll have to resend them. Make sure you use the form from the correct year, include all necessary information, put the information in the correct box, and double-check your calculations for Social Security withholding. 

Distribute W-2 Forms to Your Employees

Your next decision is how to distribute the forms to your employees. You have two options for distributing Copies B, and C. You can either mail them or give them to your employees in person. You may want to have the employee certify that the form was picked up to avoid questions about whether this was done if they decide they want to pick up their form in person.

Filing W-2 and W-3 Forms With the SSA

You must use the W-3 transmission forms when you submit W-2 forms by mail to the Social Security Administration. The W-3 form compiles all the information from each box of the W-2 form for all employees. You don't have to submit a W-3 transmittal form if you decide to file your W-2 forms with the SSA online.

You must sign the W-3 form if you’re submitting your forms by mail. The signer must be authorized as an agent of your company, or the person can write "For (name of payer)" on the signature line next to the signature. If you are sending W-2 forms online, your PIN number serves as your signature.

Filing Online or by Mail

You have two options for submitting these forms. You can file online at the Business Services Online section of the Social Security website. You’ll have to register first, then complete the appropriate forms online.

You can also mail in Copy A of your completed W-2 forms along with Form W-3 to the Social Security Administration. The mailing address for forms sent via USPS is Social Security Administration; Direct Operations Center; Wilkes-Barre, PA 18769-0001.

Employee Requests for Duplicate Forms

Employees often misplace or lose their W-2 forms, so they may request a duplicate copy of their W-2 Form. Write "REISSUED STATEMENT" on the new copy, and give it to the employee. You don't have to add "REISSUED STATEMENT" if you send an electronic form to the employee.

You may want to charge employees for a first duplicate form, or the second duplicate in a year. The IRS says you are "not prohibited" from charging a fee for a duplicate W-2 form, but it's a good idea to communicate your policy regarding duplicate forms to employees.

Check State Regulations

When you complete a W-2 form for an employee, you'll send Copy 1 to each state where the employee works.

Each state has different requirements for W-2 submissions and any transmittal forms, but many states are conforming to the January 31 deadline for filing W-2s with the SSA. Check with your state's taxing authority or state revenue department to learn the requirements.

Extension of Time To File

You can file an application on Form 8809 if you need a 30-day extension of time to file your W-2 forms with the SSA. The application must be filed no later than the due date of the form. The IRS grants extensions "only in limited cases," like a catastrophe that destroyed your records.

You must fax the IRS if you need an extension to furnish W-2 forms to employees. The letter must be addressed to Internal Revenue SErvice Technical Services Operation, Attn: Extension of Time Coordinator. The fax number is 877-477-0752. Your letter must include your name, address, EIN, a statement about why you're requesting an extension that includes the reason for the request, and your signature.

Warning

You can only file for one extension to file your W-2 forms with the Social Security Administration if your request is approved. You can’t ask a second time.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do you need to send out W-2 forms?

The deadline for distribution of W-2 forms to employees and for filing with the SSA is Jan. 31 of the year following the tax year.

Where can you get W-2 forms to send to your employees?

You can get W-2 forms from an office supply store, your CPA, tax or accounting software, or the IRS.

Updated by Beverly Bird
Was this page helpful?
Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. IRS. "Independent Contractor Defined."

  2. IRS. “Topic No. 752 Filing Forms W-2 and W-3.” 

  3. IRS. “General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3.” Pages 15-22. 

  4. IRS. "Form W-2."

  5. IRS. "General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3."

  6. IRS. “Topic No. 752 Filing Forms W-2 and W-3."

  7. IRS. "General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3."

  8. IRS. "General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3."

  9. IRS. “General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3.” Page 11. 

  10. Wave Financial, Inc. "Form W-2: State-by-State Year-End Filing Guide."

  11. IRS. "General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3."

  12. IRS. "General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3."

  13. IRS. "General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3."

  14. IRS. "General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3."

  15. IRS. "General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3."

Related Articles