Hi, I received a large severance payment in 2025 from my company, and taxes were withheld on the amount. My company has since rehired me after I paid back 2/3 of the severance payment on 12/31/25. My company provided a W-2 showing the repayment in boxes 2 and 3, but they are declining to update box 1 with the repayment amount, so it still looks like I kept the entire severance (meaning I wouldn't get a tax refund on the withheld amount). TaxRite (through ARAG Legal) agrees with me that box 1 should also reflect the severance repayment. What do you recommend?
You will need to enter the w2 and then remove the additional income that was repaid. To remove the additional income, follow these steps:
The fact that payroll updated boxes 2 and 3 shows that they know you repaid the money and box 1 needs to reflect it so the best option is for them to issue a corrected form. It seems like boxes 3 and 5 would have been the updated boxes. Create a paper trail to prove your case as the IRS could take a few years to ask. Keep your severance agreement, proof of the repayment, copies of emails to employer, phone log, everything you can to prove you tried in good faith to get a corrected w2, including your question here for why you filed the way you did. This shows good faith on your part and that you are trusting competent tax advice.
You will need to enter the w2 and then remove the additional income that was repaid. To remove the additional income, follow these steps:
The fact that payroll updated boxes 2 and 3 shows that they know you repaid the money and box 1 needs to reflect it so the best option is for them to issue a corrected form. It seems like boxes 3 and 5 would have been the updated boxes. Create a paper trail to prove your case as the IRS could take a few years to ask. Keep your severance agreement, proof of the repayment, copies of emails to employer, phone log, everything you can to prove you tried in good faith to get a corrected w2, including your question here for why you filed the way you did. This shows good faith on your part and that you are trusting competent tax advice.