Year-end processing tips for Form W-2
We've compiled a list of tasks to follow and resources to use as you prepare for year-end W-2 form processing.
note
IRS regulations made on February 23, 2023 reduce the threshold for filing certain information returns electronically. For more information, refer to the related content link.
Filing by paper: Order necessary forms
Figure out the total number of W-2s that you'll need for your clients and then order the forms.
- Print the W-2 Ordering Worksheet from the Print Reports screen.
- We recommend that you order forms W-2 from Forms CS. We can't guarantee perfect alignment to other vendor's forms or to government preprinted forms.tipContact Forms CS to find out if there are discounts being offered. They may offer early bird discounts.
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) accepts black and white facsimile copies for the Copy A or W-3 forms.
Filing electronically: Register early
- Go to https://www.ssa.gov/employer for information on how to register and use the SSA W-2 electronic filing program.
- Go to https://ssa.gov/employer/taxpayer.html for more information about the Taxpayer First Act and W-2 filing requirements.
- Go to https://secure.ssa.gov/acu/LoginWeb/ to access the BSO program and upload your W-2 files created from Accounting CS.
Make sure your information is correct
- On theClientsscreen, make sure that the client EIN (on theMaintab) and the state withholding ID (on thePayroll Taxestab) are present.
- On thePayroll Taxestab of theClientsscreen, selectAdditional Informationin the Federal W-2 section and make sure a contact is selected.
- Make sure the payroll tax form filing method and the additional information for W-2 forms on thePayroll Taxestab are correct.
- On thePrint Reportsscreen, select the Employee Earnings report and mark theMissing/Invalid W-2 Informationcheckbox to include that section in the report.
- Verify employee Social Security numbers on theVerify SSN/TINscreen (from theActionsmenu).noteBefore you create and send verification files, you need to register with the SSA to be part of the Employee Verification Service. Contact the SSA at (410) 965-7140 or www.ssa.gov/employers/ssnv.htm.The SSA will provide you with a 4-digit requester identification code if you register for diskette filing.If you registered electronically and will be filing electronically, you'll use OEVS as your requester identification code.
- Double-check the Box 12 and Box 14 codes and descriptions in the following locations:
- ThePayroll Itemsscreen.
- ThePayroll Taxestab on theClientsscreen.
- ThePersonaltab on theEmployeesscreen.
- Run the W-2 Verification report on thePrint Reportsscreen.
- On theVerify W-2screen (from theActionsmenu), mark employees asVerified.
Verify the files with AccuWage Online
We recommend that you verify your W-2 files before submitting them to the SSA using the SSA AccuWage Online tool. This tool identifies the most common format errors in wage submissions and can reduce submission rejections.
Attend a refresher course
Sign up for a year-end seminar.
Update applications
Make sure that you've installed the latest version of the application. If you're on Virtual Office or Software as a Service (SaaS), you're good to go. If not, take some time to get all the latest updates so that you have access to this year's payroll tax forms.