W2Notice Instructions
User Manual: Pdf
Open the PDF directly: View PDF 
.
Page Count: 3
W2 Instructions
Notice to Employee
Do you have to file? Refer to the Form 1040 instructions
to determine if you are required to file a tax return. Even if
you don’t have to file a tax return, you may be eligible for
a refund if box 2 shows an amount or if you are eligible for
any credit.
Earned income credit (EIC). You may be able to take the
EIC for 2017 if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is less
than a certain amount. The amount of the credit is based
on income and family size. Workers without children could
qualify for a smaller credit. You and any qualifying children
must have valid social security numbers (SSNs). You
can’t take the EIC if your investment income is more than
the specified amount for 2017 or if income is earned for
services provided while you were an inmate at a penal
institution. For 2017 income limits and more information,
visit www.irs.gov/eitc. Also see Pub. 596, Earned Income
Credit. Any EIC that is more than your tax liability is
refunded to you, but only if you file a tax return.
Clergy and religious workers. If you aren’t subject to
social security and Medicare taxes, see Pub. 517, Social
Security and Other Information for Members of the Clergy
and Religious Workers.
Corrections. If your name, SSN, or address is incorrect,
correct Copies B, C, and 2 and ask your employer to
correct your employment record. Be sure to ask the
employer to file Form W-2c, Corrected Wage and Tax
Statement, with the Social Security Administration (SSA)
to correct any name, SSN, or money amount error
reported to the SSA on Form W-2. Be sure to get your
copies of Form W-2c from your employer for all
corrections made so you may file them with your tax
return. If your name and SSN are correct but aren’t the
same as shown on your social security card, you should
ask for a new card that displays your correct name at any
SSA office or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You also may
visit the SSA at www.SSA.gov.
Cost of employer-sponsored health coverage (if such
cost is provided by the employer). The reporting in box
12, using code DD, of the cost of employer-sponsored
health coverage is for your information only. The amount
reported with code DD is not taxable.
Credit for excess taxes. If you had more than one
employer in 2017 and more than $7,886.40 in social
security and/or Tier 1 railroad retirement (RRTA) taxes
were withheld, you may be able to claim a credit for the
excess against your federal income tax. If you had more
than one railroad employer and more than $4,630.50 in
Tier 2 RRTA tax was withheld, you also may be able to
claim a credit. See your Form 1040 or Form 1040A
instructions and Pub. 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated
Tax.
Instructions for Employee
Box 1. Enter this amount on the wages line of your tax return.
Box 2. Enter this amount on the federal income tax withheld line of your tax
return.
Box 5. You may be required to report this amount on Form 8959, Additional
Medicare Tax. See the Form 1040 instructions to determine if you are required to
complete Form 8959.
Box 6. This amount includes the 1.45% Medicare Tax withheld on all Medicare
wages and tips shown in box 5, as well as the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on
any of those Medicare wages and tips above $200,000.
Box 8. This amount is not included in boxes 1, 3, 5, or 7. For information on how
to report tips on your tax return, see your Form 1040 instructions.
You must file Form 4137, Social Security and Medicare Tax on Unreported Tip
Income, with your income tax return to report at least the allocated tip amount
unless you can prove that you received a smaller amount. If you have records
that show the actual amount of tips you received, report that amount even if it is
more or less than the allocated tips. On Form 4137 you will calculate the social
security and Medicare tax owed on the allocated tips shown on your Form(s) W-2
that you must report as income and on other tips you did not report to your
employer. By filing Form 4137, your social security tips will be credited to your
social security record (used to figure your benefits).
Box 9. If you are e-filing and if there is a code in this box, enter it when prompted
by your software. This code assists the IRS in validating the W-2 data submitted
with your return. The code is not entered on paper-filed returns.
Box 10. This amount includes the total dependent care benefits that your
employer paid to you or incurred on your behalf (including amounts from a
section 125 (cafeteria) plan). Any amount over $5,000 is also included in box 1.
Complete Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses, to compute any
taxable and nontaxable amounts.
Box 11. This amount is (a) reported in box 1 if it is a distribution made to you
from a nonqualified deferred compensation or nongovernmental section 457(b)
plan, or (b) included in box 3 and/or 5 if it is a prior year deferral under a
nonqualified or section 457(b) plan that became taxable for social security
and Medicare taxes this year because there is no longer a substantial risk of
forfeiture of your right to the deferred amount. This box shouldn’t be used if you
had a deferral and a distribution in the same calendar year. If you made a
deferral and received a distribution in the same calendar year, and you are or will
be age 62 by the end of the calendar year, your employer should file Form SSA-
131, Employer Report of Special Wage Payments, with the Social Security
Administration and give you a copy.
Box 12. The following list explains the codes shown in box 12. You may need
this information to complete your tax return. Elective deferrals (codes D, E, F,
and S) and designated Roth contributions (codes AA, BB, and EE) under all
plans are generally limited to a total of $18,000 ($12,500 if you only have
SIMPLE plans; $21,000 for section 403(b) plans if you qualify for the 15-year rule
explained in Pub. 571). Deferrals under code G are limited to $18,000. Deferrals
under code H are limited to $7,000.
However, if you were at least age 50 in 2017, your employer may have allowed
an additional deferral of up to $6,000 ($3,000 for section 401(k)(11) and 408(p)
SIMPLE plans). This additional deferral amount is not subject to the overall limit
on elective deferrals. For code G, the limit on elective deferrals may be higher for
the last 3 years before you reach retirement age. Contact your plan administrator
for more information. Amounts in excess of the overall elective deferral limit must
be included in income. See the “Wages, Salaries, Tips, etc.” line instructions for
Form 1040.
Note: If a year follows code D through H, S, Y, AA, BB, or EE, you made a
make-up pension contribution for a prior year(s) when you were in military
service. To figure whether you made excess deferrals, consider these amounts
for the year shown, not the current year. If no year is shown, the contributions are
for the current year.
A—Uncollected social security or RRTA tax on tips. Include this tax on Form
1040. See “Other Taxes” in the Form 1040 instructions.
B—Uncollected Medicare tax on tips. Include this tax on Form 1040. See “Other
Taxes” in the Form 1040 instructions.
C—Taxable cost of group-term life insurance over $50,000 (included in boxes 1,
3 (up to social security wage base), and 5)
D—Elective deferrals to a section 401(k) cash or deferred arrangement. Also
includes deferrals under a SIMPLE retirement account that is part of a section
401(k) arrangement.
E—Elective deferrals under a section 403(b) salary reduction agreementF—
Elective deferrals under a section 408(k)(6) salary reduction SEP
G—Elective deferrals and employer contributions (including nonelective
deferrals) to a section 457(b) deferred compensation plan
H—Elective deferrals to a section 501(c)(18)(D) tax-exempt organization plan.
See “Adjusted Gross Income” in the Form 1040 instructions for how to deduct.
J—Nontaxable sick pay (information only, not included in boxes 1, 3, or 5)
K—20% excise tax on excess golden parachute payments. See “Other Taxes” in
the Form 1040 instructions.
L—Substantiated employee business expense reimbursements (nontaxable)
M—Uncollected social security or RRTA tax on taxable cost of group-term life
insurance over $50,000 (former employees only). See “Other Taxes” in the Form
1040 instructions.
N—Uncollected Medicare tax on taxable cost of group-term life insurance over
$50,000 (former employees only). See “Other Taxes” in the Form 1040
instructions.
P—Excludable moving expense reimbursements paid directly to employee (not
included in boxes 1, 3, or 5)
Q—Nontaxable combat pay. See the instructions for Form 1040 or Form 1040A
for details on reporting this amount.
R—Employer contributions to your Archer MSA. Report on Form 8853, Archer
MSAs and Long-Term Care Insurance Contracts.
S—Employee salary reduction contributions under a section 408(p) SIMPLE plan
(not included in box 1)
T—Adoption benefits (not included in box 1). Complete Form 8839, Qualified
Adoption Expenses, to compute any taxable and nontaxable amounts.
V—Income from exercise of nonstatutory stock option(s) (included in boxes 1, 3
(up to social security wage base), and 5). See Pub. 525, Taxable and Nontaxable
Income, for reporting requirements.
W—Employer contributions (including amounts the employee elected to
contribute using a section 125 (cafeteria) plan) to your health savings account.
Report on Form 8889, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
Y—Deferrals under a section 409A nonqualified deferred compensation plan
Z—Income under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that fails to satisfy
section 409A. This amount is also included in box 1. It is subject to an additional
20% tax plus interest. See “Other Taxes” in the Form 1040 instructions.
AA—Designated Roth contributions under a section 401(k) plan
BB—Designated Roth contributions under a section 403(b) plan
DD—Cost of employer-sponsored health coverage. The amount reported with
Code DD is not taxable.
EE—Designated Roth contributions under a governmental section 457(b) plan.
This amount does not apply to contributions under a tax-exempt organization
section 457(b) plan.
FF—Permitted benefits under a qualified small employer health reimbursement
arrangement
Box 13. If the “Retirement plan” box is checked, special limits may apply to the
amount of traditional IRA contributions you may deduct. See Pub. 590-A,
Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs).
Box 14. Employers may use this box to report information such as state disability
insurance taxes withheld, union dues, uniform payments, health insurance
premiums deducted, nontaxable income, educational assistance payments, or a
member of the clergy's parsonage allowance and utilities. Railroad employers
use this box to report railroad retirement (RRTA) compensation, Tier 1 tax, Tier 2
tax, Medicare tax and Additional Medicare Tax. Include tips reported by the
employee to the employer in railroad retirement (RRTA) compensation.
Note: Keep Copy C of Form W-2 for at least 3 years after the due date for filing
your income tax return. However, to help protect your social security benefits,
keep Copy C until you begin receiving social security benefits, just in case there
is a question about your work record and/or earnings in a particular year.
1099-MISC Instructions
Instructions for Recipient
Recipient's taxpayer identification number (TIN). For your protection, this
form may show only the last four digits of your social security number
(SSN), individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), adoption
taxpayer identification number (ATIN), or employer identification
number (EIN). However, the issuer has reported your complete TIN to
the IRS.
Account number. May show an account or other unique number the
payer assigned to distinguish your account.
FATCA filing requirement. If the FATCA filing requirement box is
checked, the payer is reporting on this Form 1099 to satisfy its chapter
4 account reporting requirement. You also may have a filing
requirement. See the Instructions for Form 8938.
Amounts shown may be subject to self-employment (SE) tax. If
your net income from self-employment is $400 or more, you must file a
return and compute your SE tax on Schedule SE (Form 1040). See
Pub. 334 for more information. If no income or social security and
Medicare taxes were withheld and you are still receiving these
payments, see Form 1040-ES (or Form 1040-ES(NR)). Individuals
must report these amounts as explained in the box 7 instructions on
this page. Corporations, fiduciaries, or partnerships must report the
amounts on the proper line of their tax returns.
Form 1099-MISC incorrect? If this form is incorrect or has been
issued in error, contact the payer. If you cannot get this form corrected,
attach an explanation to your tax return and report your income
correctly.
Box 1. Report rents from real estate on Schedule E (Form 1040).
However, report rents on Schedule C (Form 1040) if you provided
significant services to the tenant, sold real estate as a business, or
rented personal property as a business. See Pub. 527.
Box 2. Report royalties from oil, gas, or mineral properties, copyrights,
and patents on Schedule E (Form 1040). However, report payments
for a working interest as explained in the box 7 instructions. For
royalties on timber, coal, and iron ore, see Pub. 544.
Box 3. Generally, report this amount on the “Other income” line of
Form 1040 (or Form 1040NR) and identify the payment. The amount
shown may be payments received as the beneficiary of a deceased
employee, prizes, awards, taxable damages, Indian gaming profits, or
other taxable income. See Pub. 525. If it is trade or business income,
report this amount on Schedule C or F (Form 1040).
Box 4. Shows backup withholding or withholding on Indian gaming
profits. Generally, a payer must backup withhold if you did not furnish
your taxpayer identification number. See Form W-9 and Pub. 505 for
more information. Report this amount on your income tax return as tax
withheld.
Box 5. An amount in this box means the fishing boat operator
considers you self-employed. Report this amount on Schedule C (Form
1040). See Pub. 334.
Box 6. For individuals, report on Schedule C (Form 1040).
Box 7. Shows nonemployee compensation. If you are in the trade or
business of catching fish, box 7 may show cash you received for the
sale of fish. If the amount in this box is SE income, report it on
Schedule C or F (Form 1040), and complete Schedule SE (Form
1040). You received this form instead of Form W-2 because the payer
did not consider you an employee and did not withhold income tax or
social security and Medicare tax. If you believe you are an employee
and cannot get the payer to correct this form, report the amount from
box 7 on Form 1040, line 7 (or Form 1040NR, line 8). You must also
complete Form 8919 and attach it to your return. If you are not an
employee but the amount in this box is not SE income (for example, it
is income from a sporadic activity or a hobby), report it on Form 1040,
line 21 (or Form 1040NR, line 21).
Box 8. Shows substitute payments in lieu of dividends or tax-exempt
interest received by your broker on your behalf as a result of a loan of
your securities. Report on the “Other income” line of Form 1040 (or
Form 1040NR).
Box 9. If checked, $5,000 or more of sales of consumer products was
paid to you on a buy-sell, deposit-commission, or other basis. A dollar
amount does not have to be shown. Generally, report any income from
your sale of these products on Schedule C (Form 1040).
Box 10. Report this amount on Schedule F (Form 1040).
Box 13. Shows your total compensation of excess golden parachute
payments subject to a 20% excise tax. See the Form 1040 (or Form
1040NR) instructions for where to report.
Box 14. Shows gross proceeds paid to an attorney in connection with
legal services. Report only the taxable part as income on your return.
Box 15a. May show current year deferrals as a nonemployee under a
nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plan that is subject to the
requirements of section 409A, plus any earnings on current and prior
year deferrals.
Box 15b. Shows income as a nonemployee under an NQDC plan that
does not meet the requirements of section 409A. This amount is also
included in box 7 as nonemployee compensation. Any amount
included in box 15a that is currently taxable is also included in this box.
This income is also subject to a substantial additional tax to be
reported on Form 1040 (or Form 1040NR). See “Total Tax” in the Form
1040 (or Form 1040NR) instructions.
Boxes 16–18. Shows state or local income tax withheld from the
payments.
Future developments. For the latest information about developments
related to Form 1099-MISC and its instructions, such as legislation
enacted after they were published, go to www.irs.gov/Form1099MISC.
