There should be a code in Box 12 along with an amount. Most common codes are D for deferred comp, W for an HSA, DD for health coverage. If your employer put an amount without a code, get a corrected W-2. If there is nothing in either box, you enter nothing.
See the full list below.
Box 12 codes
are:
- A -- Uncollected Social Security or RRTA tax on tips
- B -- Uncollected Medicare tax on tips
- C -- Taxable costs of group-term life insurance over
$50,000
- Code D -- Elective deferral under a 401(k) cash or
arrangement plan. This includes a SIMPLE 401(k) arrangement.
- E -- Elective deferrals under a Section 403(b) salary
reduction agreement
- F -- Elective deferrals under a Section 408(k)(6) salary
reduction SEP
- G -- Elective deferrals and employer contributions
(including nonelective deferrals) to a Section 457(b) deferred
compensation plan
- H -- Elective deferrals to a Section 501(c)(18)(D)
tax-exempt organization plan
- J -- Nontaxable sick pay
- K -- 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 employee
- Q -- Nontaxable combat pay
- R -- Employer contributions to your Archer medical
savings account (MSA)
- S -- Employee salary reduction contributions under a
Section 408(p) SIMPLE
- T -- Adoption benefits (not included in Box 1)
- V -- Income from exercise of nonstatutory stock options
- 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 Section 409A on nonqualified
deferred compensation plan
- Code AA -- Designated Roth contribution under a 401(k)
plan
- BB -- Designated Roth contributions under a 403(b) plan
- CC -- For employer use only
- DD -- Cost of employer-sponsored health coverage
- EE -- Designated Roth contributions under a governmental
457(b) plan
