This is one in a continuing series on the 2008 Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, which employers must generally furnish to employees no later than February 2, 2009. Forms mailed on the due date are considered furnished if properly addressed. Employers unable to meet that deadline may file a request for extension of time to furnish the forms. Today we review Box 12, codes.
Enter codes and amounts in boxes 12a, 12 b, 12c, and 12d. The letters a, b, c, and d do not relate to the codes, but are strictly for identification purposes. If an employee has code C for $100 and that is the only code for that employee, the employer may enter code C in box 12a; it does not need to be entered in box 12c. If filing copy A on paper, enter only four codes on one Form W-2. Employers should use multiple forms for employees with more than four codes. There is no limit on the number of codes on any other copy of Form W-2. Enter the code and amount without dollar signs or commas.
The codes and their descriptions are as follows:
Code A |
Uncollected social security or RRTA tax on tips |
Code B |
Uncollected Medicare tax on tips |
Code C |
Taxable cost of group-term life insurance over $50,000 |
Code D |
Elective deferrals under §401(k) cash or deferred arrangement (plan) |
Code E |
Elective deferrals under §403(b) salary reduction agreement |
Code F |
Elective deferrals under §408(k)(6) salary reduction SEP |
Code G |
Elective deferrals and employer contributions (including nonelective deferrals) to any governmental or nongovernmental §457(b) deferred compensation plan |
Code H |
Elective deferrals under §501(c)(18)(D) tax-exempt organization plan |
Code J |
Nontaxable sick pay |
Code K |
20% excise tax on excess golden parachute payments |
Code L |
Substantiated employee business expense reimbursements |
Code M |
Uncollected social security or RRTA tax on taxable cost of group-term life insurance over $50,000 (for former employees) |
Code N |
Uncollected Medicare tax on taxable cost of group-term life insurance over $50,000 (for former employees) |
Code P |
Excludable moving expense reimbursements paid directly to employee |
Code Q |
Nontaxable combat pay |
Code R |
Employer contributions to an Archer MSA |
Code S |
Employee salary reduction contributions under a §408(p) SIMPLE |
Code T |
Adoption benefits |
Code V |
Income from the exercise of nonstatutory stock option(s) |
Code W |
Employer contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) |
Code Y |
Deferrals under a §409A nonqualified deferred compensation plan |
Code Z |
Income under §409A on a nonqualified deferred compensation plan |
Code AA |
Designated Roth contributions under a §401(k) plan |
Code BB |
Designated Roth contributions under a §403(b) plan |
Employers should combine elective deferrals and elective catch-up contributions into one sum and report under the appropriate elective deferral plan code.
The next topic in this continuing series will be Box 13, checkboxes. Contact Vision Payroll with any questions on the 2008 Form W-2.
0 Comments