June 8, 2008 by admin

1411. Statements of Earnings for Employees

1411.1 What items are shown on a statement of earnings?

Every employer subject to Social Security taxes must provide written statements of earnings to employees. Treasury Form W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) is generally used for this purpose. The statement must show:

1. The name, address, and identification number of the employer;

2. The name, address, and Social Security number of the employee;

3. The total amount of wages (including tips reported to the employer by the employee) subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes which were paid to the employee during the calendar year;

4. The amount of the Social Security and Medicare taxes deducted from the employee's wages;

5. The total amount of tips reported to the employer which is subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes; and

6. The amount of the Social Security and Medicare taxes, if any, the employee still owes on tips reported to the employer.

1411.2 When are statements provided to employees?

These statements must be given to employees as follows:

1. No later than January 31 following the calendar year in which the wages were paid; or

2. An employee who stops working before the end of a year and does not expect to return to work that year may ask the employer for an earlier statement. The statement must be furnished by the latest of the following:

   1. 30 days after the date of the employee's request;

   2. 30 days after the last wages were paid; or

   3. 30 days after the death of the worker, in which case the statement is sent to the next of kin as well as to IRS.

Last Revised: March, 2001