Where Can I Get A List Of The Codes That Are Entered In Box 12?

Where Can I Get A List Of The Codes That Are Entered In Box 12?

There are several types of compensation and benefits that can be reported in Box 12 of Form W-2. Box 12 will report a single letter or double letter code followed by a dollar amount. The following list explains the codes shown in Box 12 of Form W-2. You may need this information to complete the tax return.

​

A

Uncollected social security or RRTA tax on tips. Include this tax on Form 1040. See "Other Taxes" in the Form 1040 Instructions. Software automatically pulls this amount to the Total Tax line of Form 1040 and denotes it with code UT.

B

Uncollected Medicare tax on tips. Include this tax on Form 1040. See "Other Taxes" in the Form 1040 instructions. Software automatically pulls this amount to the Total Tax line of Form 1040 and denotes it with code UT.

C

Taxable cost of group-term life insurance over $50,000 (included in boxes 1, 3 (up to social security wage base), and box 5). This amount is already included in the taxable income of the Form W-2. It is not reported separately on Form 1040.

D

Elective deferrals to a section 401(k) cash or deferred arrangement. Also includes deferrals under a SIMPLE retirement account that is part of a section 401(k) arrangement. Software pulls this amount to Form 8880.

E

Elective deferrals under a section 403(b) salary reduction agreement. Software pulls this amount to Form 8880.

F

Elective deferrals under a section 408(k)(6) salary reduction SEP. Software pulls this amount to Form 8880.

G

Elective deferrals and employer contributions (including nonelective deferrals) to a section 457(b) deferred compensation plan. Software pulls this amount to Form 8880.

H

Elective deferrals to a section 501(c)(18)(D) tax-exempt organization plan. See "Adjusted Gross Income" in the Form 1040 instructions for how to deduct. Software pulls this amount to Form 8880.

J

Nontaxable sick pay (information only, not included in Boxes 1, 3, or 5).

K

20% excise tax on excess golden parachute payments. See "Other Taxes" in the Form 1040 instructions.

L

Substantiated employee business expense reimbursements (nontaxable).

M

Uncollected social security or RRTA tax on taxable cost of group-term life insurance over $50,000 (former employees only). See "Other Taxes" in the Form 1040 Instructions. Software automatically pulls this amount to the Total Tax line of Form 1040 and denotes it with code UT.

N

Uncollected Medicare tax on taxable cost of group-term life insurance over $50,000 (former employees only). See "Other Taxes" in the 1040 Instructions. Software automatically pulls this amount to the Total Tax line of Form 1040 and denotes it with code UT.

P

Excludable moving expense reimbursements paid directly to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces (not included in boxes 1, 3, or 5).

Q

Nontaxable combat pay. See the instructions for Form 1040 for details on reporting this amount.

R

Employer contributions to an employee's Archer MSA. Report on Form 8853, Archer MSAs and Long-Term Care Insurance Contracts.

S

Employee salary reduction contributions under a section 408(p) SIMPLE plan (not included in box 1). Software pulls this amount to Form 8880.

T

Adoption benefits (not included in box 1). Complete Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, to compute any taxable and nontaxable amounts.

V

Income from exercise of nonstatutory stock option(s) (included in boxes 1, 3 (up to social security wage base), and box 5). See Publication 525 and instructions for Schedule D (Form 1040) for reporting requirements.

W

Employer contributions (including amounts the employee elected to contribute using a section 125 (cafeteria plan) to the employee's health savings account.) Report on Form 8889. Software pulls this amount to Form 8889.

Y

Deferrals under a section 409A nonqualified deferred compensation plan

Z

Income under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that fails to satisfy section 409A. This amount is also included in box 1 and is subject to an additional 20% tax plus interest. See "Other Taxes" in the Form 1040 instructions.

AA

Designated Roth contributions under a section 401(k) plan. Software pulls this amount to Form 8880.

BB

Designated Roth contributions under a section 403(b) plan. Software pulls this amount to Form 8880.

DD

Cost of employer-sponsored health coverage. The amount reported with Code DD is not taxable.

EE

Designated Roth contributions under a governmental section 457(b) plan. This amount does not apply to contributions under a tax-exempt organization section 457(b) plan.

FF

Permitted benefits under a qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement.

GG

Income from qualified equity grants under section 83(i)

HH

Aggregate deferrals under section 83(i) elections as of the close of the calendar year.

 

    • Related Articles

    • Inputting A Form W-2 With More Than 4 States Listed

      Each Form W-2 entry screen has enough space for four states to be listed. If a client's Form W-2 has more than four states listed, you will need to divide the W-2 into two or more separate entries. For example, if there are seven states listed on the ...

    • W-2 Contains A High Percentage Of Federal Tax Withheld

      This warning is meant to let you know that Form W-2 contains a high amount of federal taxes entered in Box 2 compared to the federal wages entered in Box 1. Double check the accuracy of the amounts that were keyed in Boxes 1 and 2. If you have ...

    • Form 1098-T- Education Credits and Deductions

      Education tax credits help offset higher learning expenses by reducing the tax an individual would owe the IRS and may increase their refund if they have no tax liability. Note: Neither of these credits is available if the taxpayer's filing status is ...

    • Can I Prepare Their Tax Return Based Off Of Their Last Paystub?

      According to the IRS: "Authorized IRS e-file Providers are prohibited from submitting electronic returns to the IRS prior to the receipt of all Forms W-2 ... and 1099-R from the taxpayer. If the taxpayer is unable to secure and provide a correct Form ...

    • Form 8867 - Earned Income Credit Due Diligence

      Paid preparers of federal income tax returns or claims for refund involving the Earned Income Credit (EIC) must not only ask all the questions required on Form 8867 but must meet the due diligence requirements in determining the taxpayer's ...