E-filing Forms W-2 and W-3

We’ve covered quite a bit on Form W-2 over the past month or so: everything from the new deadline to new extension form regulations and even a bit about those pesky penalties.

So now it only makes sense to go over how to e-file Form W-2 and what the deal is with its companion form, the W-3.

E-filing Form W-2
First things first: if you have more than 250 W-2 Forms to file, you’re required by the IRS to e-file. Even if you’re not quite there and only have a few W-2 Forms to submit, we (and the IRS) strongly recommend e-filing anyway. It’s easier, faster, and more secure - if you sign on with an IRS-authorized e-file provider like ExpressIRSForms, that is.

With ExpressIRSForms, you can have your W-2 Forms e-filed with the IRS and mailed out to your employees in just a few steps:

1. Create an account.
2. Select that you’d like to create W-2 Forms from your Dashboard.
3. Fill in your basic employer information (name, EIN, address).
4. Fill in your employees’ details, including their basic info as well as their federal and state income and tax withheld.
5. Review your forms and select whether you’d like us to mail your employee copies of Form W-2 for you.
6. Pay the one-time transmittal fee and securely send your return off to the IRS!

It’s that easy. And with built-in error checks, you’re sure to have everything filed correctly the first time around!

And Form W-3
One of the biggest bonuses of filing online is that Form W-3 isn’t required to be completed and sent with your return when you e-file. It’s the transmittal form for Form W-2 which means it summarizes the contents of the W-2 return it accompanies. Because W-2 e-filing is more streamlined than paper filing, Form W-3 isn’t needed online.

If you do insist on paper filing, you will need to complete one Form W-3 to be sent with your W-2 Forms. You’ll need the following information to complete it:

• Payer or Employer type
• Total number of W-2 Forms
• Employer name, EIN, address, and state ID number
• Total income and taxes withheld reported in your W-2 Forms

And your W-2 return, along with Form W-3, should be sent to the following address by January 31, 2017:

Social Security Administration

Data Operations Center

Wilkes-Barre, PA 18769-0001

If sending your return by Certified Mail, change the ZIP code to 18769-0002. And if you use an IRS-approved private delivery service, include in the address “ATTN: W-2 Process, 1150 E. Mountain Dr.” and change the ZIP code to 18702-7997.