turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Announcements
Close icon
Do you have a TurboTax Online account?

We'll help you get started or pick up where you left off.

Box 14 Code Z Error - Federal Return

US Govt employee issue: I'm getting an error code this year that I didn't get last year and the W2 is exactly the same in its categories. Box 14, Code Z.

 

Error is "income under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that fails to satisfy section 409A."

 

This is not accurate, as it's a federal compensation plan for thousands of employees. It was recorded in exactly the same way last year (Box 14, Code Z) and the was no TurboTax error. MA state return shows no errors this year.

 

I need a workaround so that I can file electronically. If I remove the Z then it erases the figure. There's no way to override the code.

 

Help would be appreciated!

x
Do you have an Intuit account?

Do you have an Intuit account?

You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.

2 Replies
MonikaK1
Expert Alumni

Box 14 Code Z Error - Federal Return

When your W-2 has a code U, V, W, X, Y, or Z, in Box 14, use the drop-down menu in Box 14 and choose that group of codes. This did not cause an error preventing e-filing when I tested it just now, both in Desktop and Online. If you used the drop-down menu selection, please provide more specifics about the error you saw.

 

From this help article

Employers can put just about anything in box 14; it's a catch-all for items that don't have their own dedicated box on the W-2.

In TurboTax, enter the description from your W-2's box 14 on the first field in the row. Enter the dollar amount and select the correct tax category that goes with that description.

If none of the categories apply, scroll to the bottom of the list and choose Other (not classified). Don’t worry. We'll figure out if it impacts your return or not. If we need more information, we'll ask you.

If box 14 is blank, just skip over it. Don't enter a 0 for any blank boxes.

 

See this excerpt from the IRS instructions for Form W-2:

 

Employee business expense reimbursements. Reimbursements to employees for business expenses must be reported as follows. 

 

• Generally, payments made under an accountable plan are excluded from the employee's gross income and are not reported on Form W-2. However, if you pay a per diem or mileage allowance and the amount paid for substantiated miles or days traveled exceeds the amount treated as substantiated under IRS rules, you must report as wages on Form W-2 the amount in excess of the amount treated as substantiated. The excess amount is subject to income tax withholding and social security and Medicare taxes (or railroad retirement taxes, if applicable). Report the amount treated as substantiated (that is, the nontaxable portion) in box 12 using code L. See the box 12 instructions for Code L—Substantiated employee business expense reimbursements. (Use box 14 if railroad retirement taxes apply.) 

 

• Payments made under a nonaccountable plan are reported as wages on Form W-2 and are subject to federal income tax withholding and social security and Medicare taxes (or railroad retirement taxes, if applicable). (Use box 14 if railroad retirement taxes apply.) For more information on accountable plans, nonaccountable plans, amounts treated as substantiated under a per diem or mileage allowance, the standard mileage rate, the per diem substantiation method, and the high-low substantiation method, see Pub. 463, Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses; and section 5 of Pub. 15 (Circular E).

 

 

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

Box 14 Code Z Error - Federal Return

Your reply helped me to see where my mistake was. I had TurboTax scan in the W-2 and it put four numbers and their codes, not into Box 14 where they should have been, but into Box 12. I moved them to their proper place and that cleared up the error.

 

I really appreciate your time, Monika.

message box icon

Get more help

Ask questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.

Post your Question