My employer took too much social security tax. Why do I need to ask my employer for a corrected W2? How will they reimburse me the difference?

[jmk-cmt]

I was inputting the information from my W2 and it said that I was owed a refund from my employer because they took out too much Social security tax. I don't know what to do. Also, I don't see how they took out too much and how an I fix this so it doesn't happen next year. Can someone please help me figure out what to do? It says I can't file my return until this is handled.

[TomYoung]

This situation is, most commonly, a result of user error.  Look at your W-2.  Is the amount of Social Security withheld over $7,347?  If not, and if you didn't work for multiple employers during the year and have more than one W-2, then the problem most likely arises because you entered both your spouse's and your W-2 using only your Social Security number.  A mistake like that will cause that "error."  Check that first.

[VolvoGirl]

Check boxes 3 & 4 on your W2. Box 4 should be 6.2% of box 3 up to a max of $7,347. So take the amount in box 3 and multiply it by .062. If box 4 is more than that you need to get a corrected W2 from your employer.  But also go back and double check your W2 entries, you may have entered box 3 & 4 wrong.  A lot of people who have asked this found they did enter an amount wrong.

A sure way to fix this is to delete the W2 and re-enter it.  That may clear something out.