W-2 Explained

Distribution of W-2 Forms for 2022

Answers to Common W-2 Questions & W-2 Box Codes

Your Gross Wages will not be shown on your W-2 but they are on your last paycheck of December under “Calendar Year-To-Date”.  

• Box1 (Wages, Tips, Other Compensation) = Gross Wages – (Box12/Code E)  – (Box12/Code G) – (Box14/FLEX) – (Box14/414H )

  • [Box1 is your Federal Taxable income]

• Box3 (Social Security Wages) = Gross Wages – (Box14/Flex Benefits)

• Box12 Codes

  • Code C = Taxable cost of Non-Cash benefits (Group-term life insurance over $50,000, Domestic Partners)

  • Code E = Elective deferrals to all 403(b) plans

  • Code G = Elective deferrals to the 457(b) plan

  • Code DD = Cost of employer-sponsored health coverage (Employee and Employer portions)

  • Code EE = Elective deferrals to the ROTH 457 plan

• Box14 Codes

  • FFCRA = Families First Coronavirus Response Act for HOURLY employees that were out due to COVID this year

  • FLEX = Total of all your pre-tax benefit deductions (aka Flex or Fringe Benefits).  Ex: Healthcare, AFLAC, Excess MM/Vision, Dental, and FSA plans

  • 414H = Pre-tax pension deductions taken for ERS or TRS

If you still have W-2 questions:

• https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw2w3.pdf is the 2023 IRS directions with full descriptions of all codes, or

• Or Google / Web search what you are looking for, or

• Ask your tax professional.

The Payroll and Accounting departments will do their best to answer additional questions, but your best resource is your last check in December and the information provided above (and, of course, a calculator).