What does box 20 mean on the w2

[TomK]

Not every box on the W2 is reported or needs to be reported. If Box 19 is blank, leave Box 20 blank as well. If there is an amount in Box 19, it would indicate that local tax was withheld from your wages and paid to a local government, such as to a city tax. If you have an amount in box 19, and Box 20 is blank, ask your employer who they paid with the proceeds reported in Box 19. 

[bbrunko]

But is the info in box 20 where the business is located? That the company paid taxes to?

[AmyC]

Box 20 is the name of the locality where you are paying the tax in box 19. If you have information in those boxes, you will need that income used in a return for that locality. Some places, like NYC, will make it part of the state return while other places, like Cincinnati, will require a separate return.

[jenniferlixu]

Hi AmyC,

My employer mistakenly deducted local taxes from me. I live in Ohio Warren County. There is content for box 18, 19, and 20. In Box 20 it's just "Warren", but they can't tell me if it's Warren County or City of Warren. In Ohio, there is no income taxes in Warren county, but there is income taxes in City of Warren. I need to figure out if my local taxes withheld was sent to City of Warren or Warren county. With your experience, will a county be considered as locality? Thanks!