I am retired and received a W-2 from my previous employer with no income in Box 12, but amounts listed in box 12 under codes W and DD. What are my options to efile.

[hslej]

I received a 1099-R for pension benefits and W2 with items in Box 12 (W and DD). 

[BMcCalpin · Accepted solution]

The amounts with code W and code DD are removed from wages in boxes 1, 3, and 5, so it could happen that your box 1 is blank because the income your employer would have put in box 1 was deleted by the code W and code DD amounts.

If you want to e-file, you will have to enter $1 in box 1 of the W-2. This will cause your W-2 to be slightly different from the copy that the IRS received, so be prepared to explain if you get a letter from the IRS. This won't be a big deal, because you're paying tax on money you didn't receive, which is not against the law. In fact, this $1 may not even change your tax due or refund, because the tax it generated may be rounded out of existence. If you get a letter about it from the IRS (probably unlikely), just explain that you added the $1 to be able to e-file.

Your only other choice is to enter everything as it is printed, but print and mail the return instead of e-filing. Your choice. E-filing will get the refund (if one) back to you much more quickly.

[Edited 3/26/2020 11:51 am - typos]