Box 18 blank but Box 19 and Box 20 have 5 entries.

[TRob18]

Box 18 is blank; but Box 19 and Box 20 have 5 entries. What do I enter into box 18 as it won't let me leave it blank?

[PaulaM · Accepted solution]

What state is this? Box 18 represents wages, tips, and compensation that is subject to local taxes (look at box 5). If you have 5 different box 20 entries, add separate rows for each. 

[Edited 4/9/24 3:47pm pst]

[TRob18]

KY

5 entries in Box 19

5 entries in Box 20

Will not let me move on unless I leave 18 - 20 blank or enter wages into Box 18.

So you're saying enter what's Wages/State Wages. (Box 1 and Box 16)

[PaulaM · Accepted solution]

The IRS does not require Box 18 to be completed and so many employers leave it off.

I'm going to edit my earlier reply and suggest that you use Box 5 Medicare wages and tip amount instead, so you can move forward in the software. It could be the same numbers as Boxes 1/16 or not depending whether you have pre-tax items.