Box 14 in W2

[T K]

Hello,

I see in my W2 two numbers, one for CA VPDI and another for ESPPDD

But when I import W2 in turbotax, I see that it added another number for RSU which I dont know how did it get this number!! I dont see it at all in my W2.

And should I leave it there or remove it?

Any help on that?

[Vanessa A]

Yes, you should remove it if it doesn't belong there.

 If there is a number on your W-2 on the screen after import that is not on your actual form, then yes, you would remove it. 

However, before you remove it if you do have any RSU's you may want to double check with your HR or payroll department that you are not getting a corrected W-2 and that what was imported was not an updated corrected W-2.  If it has been updated, then it belongs there and you should not remove it. 

 

[T K]

So then how did turbo tax get this number?!

The tool uses the employer id, my SSN and Wage to retrieve the data. I didnt upload my W2.

So where does Turbo Tax retrieve the data from?

Thanks

[NicolleR1]

Box-14 for ESPPDD refers to a (Qualified employee stock purchase plan). Even though an RSU and an ESPP are different in the way they are handled, they are both considered as ways for employees to own stock company. The software might be triggered by the description of Box-14, and that's why is pulling an RSU, or might trigger additional questions in regards to the type of stock purchase plan. 

As mentioned above, you should remove any information that doesn't belong to you or that the software might be triggering based on the data entered.

[T K]

Ok I will remove it since it doesnt exist in the W2

But in general how does Turbo Tax retrieve the W2? I didnt upload it, I just gave some info and it was able to to retrieve it!

Does it go to some online portal or to the IRS to retrieve it?!

[DianeW777]

TurboTax retrieves the data from the employer, based on the data requested and entered by you. When they have it ready. W-2s are released by different employers on different dates. 

@T K 

[T K]

Thanks Diana,

So does this mean that the entry for RSU in box 14 is coming from my employer although I dont see it on the W2 sent to me by my employer?!

What I want to confirm is if the W2 I have now needs to be updated or not.

[DianeW777]

Confirm with your employer is they did in fact have an entry in Box 14.  If so, then you may need to update your W-2 since you don't see an entry.

If you or the company on your behalf did sell any of your RSUs that were awarded see the details below.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs:

• The buy and sell will be basically the same dollar amounts due to the sale occurring when you were awarded the shares. (Income reported on your W-2, as well as federal withholding paid for you).  
• The income reported in you W-2 is the amount that becomes your cost basis (and any money you might have paid as a discounted amount for the shares).
  • Example Scenario: 10 shares sold will have a $100 (assumes $10 per share) cost basis for you and same sales price (amount awarded plus any discount cost to you, if any)  the balance, $200, will be the cost basis of the ones you still hold (assumes a total of 30 shares)

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) is an award granted and given to high ranking employees.  Rights are restricted until shares are vested.  Vesting occurs after the passage of time or performance criteria are met. Shares are forfeited if the conditions are not met.

• What are RSUs/PAUs and how do I report them?

@T K 

[Edited: 02/24/2025 | 1:17 PM PST]