W-2 Forms are used to report wages, tips, other compensation; social security, Medicare, withheld income taxes; and advance earned income credit (EIC) payments. Include bonuses, vacation allowances, severance pay, certain moving expense payments, some kinds of travel allowances, and third-party payments of sick pay.
Which W-2 Forms Do I Need?
Copy A - For Social Security Administration
Copy 1 - For State, City, or Local Tax Department (see State Filing Requirement below)
Copy B - To Be Filed With Employee's Federal Tax Return
Copy C - For employee's records
Copy 2 - To Be Filed With Employee's State, City, or Local Income Tax Return (see State Filing Requirement below)
Copy D - For Employer
W-2 Form Changes for Tax Year 2012
Employee social security tax withholding—The reduced rate of 4.2% for social security tax withholding (for employees only) is extended for wage payments made in 2012.
Foreign agricultural workers—Compensation of $600 or more that is paid to H-2A visa agricultural workers must be reported in box 1 on Form W-2 if the worker furnishes a valid taxpayer identification number. If the worker does not furnish a valid taxpayer identification number, report the payments on Form 1099-MISC.
Due Dates for W-2 Forms
| To Social Security Administration | To State Agency | To Recipient |
| Paper: The last day of February E-File: March 31 |
State Filing Deadlines | January 31 |
* If date shown falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the due date is the next business day.
