Questions & Answers About The W-2 Tax Forms as an Employer
by Chelsea Camper | Last Updated July 13, 2017Tax Season doth soon approach! If you’re an employer preparing to tackle the season on your own, you might have a few questions about the W-2 forms you’ll be handing out to your employees soon.
Well then, you’re in the right place! This post will cover many basic questions revolving around the W-2 Forms.
What Does the W-2 Form Cover?
The W-2 form reports what your employees have earned and what taxes were withheld from their paychecks. It will also report on the Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax (the Social Security tax).
As the employer, it is your responsibly to prepare and hand out each employee’s W-2 form before or on January 31st. You then must file the W-2 (along with the W-3) with the Social Security Administration by the last day in February if you’re sending it in the mail. If you’re filling it out electronically, you have until the end of March.
The W-2 form is to be filed in the first part of the year for the wages and taxes for each employee of your company for the prior year. For example, you must give your employees their W-2s for 2012 by January 31st 2013. The W-2s must be filed with the Social Security Administration by February 2013 or March 2013 for the employees’ wages and taxes for 2012.
How Do I Know What Kind of W-2 to Get?
Some states require a 4 part W-2 some a 6-part W-2, and some an 8 part W-2. How do you know what kind your state requires?
You can check out this map to help you Find Your W-2. Once you have clicked on your state, your state’s requirements will show up under the map. A short form will also appear that will help you find the right forms.
If you know whether or not you have to pay a state and/or local income tax, you can figure it out right here:
No State Income Tax = 4 Part
State Income Tax = 6 Part
State and Possibly Local Income Tax = 8 Part
What’s The Difference Between the Different Types of W-2 Forms?
There are four parts to a W-2: A, B, C, and D. Some W-2 forms have two more parts: Copy 1 and Copy 2. Here’s what each type of W-2 form has (notice the 8 part form has two copies of Copy 1 and Copy 2).
4 part = A, B, C, D
6 part = A, B, C, D, Copy 1, Copy 2
8 part = A, B, C, D, Copy1 x2, Copy 2 x2
Where Can I Get Blank W-2 Forms to Print For My Employees?
You can get blank W-2 forms to print for your employees from Burris Computer Forms. We have a tax forms category that not only has W-2s but also has 1099s. Check out our Tax Form Category page to find the tax forms your company needs.
Where Does Each Part of the W-2 Go?
With so many parts it can be hard to remember which parts of the W-2 go where. Here’s a quick review:
- Copy A: Goes to the Social Security Administration from the employer
- Copy B: Give to the employee so that they can file it with their federal income tax return
- Copy C: Given to the employee to keep for their records
- Copy D: Kept by you, as the employer, for your records.
- Copy 1: Submitted by you, as the employer, to the employee’s state, city, or local tax department
- Copy 2: Given to the employee to file with their state or local income tax returns
Feel a bit better about your W-2 forms? Good. (:
Now take a deep breath and relax. It’s almost rush hour for taxes; try to get an early start by ordering your W-2’s so you don’t feel panicked and hurried trying to get your taxes done at the last minute.
Image: Tax Credits
