What is Form W-2?


Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, is used to report wages paid to employees and the taxes withheld from them.

Who needs to file Form W-2?

Every employer engaged in a trade or business who pays remuneration for services performed by an employee, including noncash payments of $600 or more for the year, must file a Form W-2 for each employee (even if the employee is related to the employer) from whom:

  • Income, social security, or Medicare tax was withheld.
  • Income tax would have been withheld if the employee had claimed no more than one withholding allowance or had not claimed exemption from withholding on Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate.

An employer must mail out the Form W-2 to employees on or before January 31.

Where do I file Form W-2?

The SSA encourages all employers to e-file. E-filing can save you time and effort and helps ensure accuracy. You must e-file if you are required to file 250 or more Forms W-2 or W-2c. If you are required to e-file but fail to do so, you may incur a penalty. ExpressTaxfilings.com is the easiest – we transmit it all to the IRS for you! Or, print paper copies and mail them to the IRS and recipient.

File Copy A of Form W-2 with Form W-3 at the following address:
Social Security Administration,
Data Operations Center,
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18769-0001

The E-File deadline is April 1, 2013.  If you choose to paper file, the deadline is February 28, 2013 and you are required to file Form W-3, Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements.  The deadline to furnish Form W-2 to your employees is January 31, 2013.

What is Form W-3?

Form W-3, Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements, is a summary page of all W-2 forms issued by the employer. This form includes the total amount for all employees under the employer during the tax year.

Who needs to file Form W-3?

Anyone who paper files Form W-2 must file Form W-3 to transmit Copy A of Forms W-2. Even if there is only one paper W-2 form being filed a W-3 is still required.  There is also no need to file a form W-3 for Form(s) W-2 that were submitted electronically to the SSA.  If you are filing your W-2 forms electronically a separate W-3 form is not needed.

Where do I file Form W-3?

When you E-File Form W-2, you are not required to file Form W-3. Should you choose to paper file,  print paper copies and mail them to the IRS and recipient.

File Copy A of Form W-2 with Form W-3 at the following address:
Social Security Administration,
Data Operations Center,
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18769-0001

ExpressTaxFilings offers affordable pricing options and top notch customer support for E-Filing Form W-2. For questions, contact the Express Tax Support Center in Rock Hill, SC at 803-514-5155 between the hours of 8am – 6pm EST, Monday through Friday or email us at support@ExpressTaxFilings.com.


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