I am an employer. On the W3 do I write off the full amount in box 4 (social security tax withheld) and box 6 (Medicare tax withheld)?

[Rachel_W · Accepted solution]

To find the correct numbers from your Payroll Returns, please use these figures: 

• Form 940, Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return: Line 12 (Total FUTA tax after adjustments)
• Form 941: Add boxes 5a and 5c, then divide by 2 to calculate employer's match for Social security and Medicare taxes. 
• Form W3: You do not include anything from this form as it is mostly a summary of your Form 941s.   
• Your State most likely has an Unemployment Tax as well which requires you to file a return, so be sure to include that figure.

[jprinz]

That is a vague and misleading answer. Please Specify completely. example why can we not use form w3 when it is a summary. You said to to use form 941 add 5a and 5c then divide by 2. there are 2 columns is that column 2 after the calculation. And form 941 is quarterly so you need all 4 quarters to add 5a and 5c from all 4 quarters. why do we have to do all 941 calculations when the w3 is a summary of all 941's

[MaryK4]

You can use the amounts on the W3 instead of 941s.  Just remember that the amount you can deduct for taxes paid is one half because the employees paid half.  Also, if there were any Social Security employee deferrals you would have to make an adjustment.

@jprinz