According to the IRS instructions, the following list explains the W-2 box 12 codes. Box 12 codes D and W are the most common.
|
W-2 Box 12 Code |
Description |
|
A |
Uncollected Social Security or RRTA tax on tips |
|
B |
Uncollected Medicare tax on tips |
|
C |
Taxable cost of group-term life insurance over $50,000 |
|
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 |
|
E |
Elective deferrals under section 403(b) salary reduction agreement with your employer |
|
F |
Elective deferrals under a section 408(k)(6) salary reduction SEP |
|
G |
Elective deferrals and employer contributions (including non-elective deferrals) to a section 457(b) deferred compensation plan |
|
H |
Elective deferrals to a section 501c(18)(D) tax-exempt organization plan |
|
J |
Nontaxable sick pay (information only, not included in boxes 1, 3, or 5) |
|
K |
Twenty percent (20%) excise tax on excess golden parachute payments |
|
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) |
|
N |
Uncollected Medicare tax on taxable cost of group-term life insurance over $50,000 (former employees only) |
|
P |
Excludable moving expense reimbursements paid directly to member of US Armed Forces for military orders (not included in boxes 1, 3, or 5) |
|
Q |
Nontaxable combat pay |
|
R |
Employer contributions to your Archer MSA. |
|
S |
Employee salary reduction contributions under a section 408(p) SIMPLE plan |
|
T |
Adoption benefits (not included in box 1) |
|
V |
Income from exercise of non-statutory stock option(s) (included in boxes 1, 3 (up to social security wage base), and 5) |
|
W |
Employer contributions (including amounts the employee elected to contribute using a section 125 (cafeteria plan) to your health savings account (HSA) |
|
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. It is subject to an additional 20% tax plus interest. |
|
AA |
Designated Roth contributions under section 401(k) plan |
|
BB |
Designated Roth contributions under section 403(b) plan |
|
DD |
Cost of employer-sponsored health coverage (this is not taxable when Code DD) |
|
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. |
|
II |
Medicaid waiver payments not included in box 1 of Form W-2 (The amount entered will be included in income on Form 1040 and will also generate a negative adjustment in Other Income on Schedule 1. If you want it included in earned income for the EIC calculation, you will indicate that separately.) |
|
TA |
Employer contributions to a Trump account. |
|
TP |
Total amount of cash tips reported to the employer. |
|
TT |
Total qualified overtime compensation. Use this amount for the overtime deduction. |