Hello,
I was going through my W-2 and noticed that I don't have code W in my box 12, and I am seeking some clarification on the matter.
Here is the context. I enrolled in an HSA and starting receiving contributions in November. My employer contributes $200 / month (not taken out of my paycheck). I personally did not contribute any of my money or paycheck to my HSA and only have the $400 from my employer contributions.
On my W-2 there is no code W. From my understanding I should have a code W for $400 for the employer contributions regardless of whether they came out of my paycheck or not.
Is this something I report on my taxes myself, and if so where would the appropriate place be? Or is there an error on my W-2?
All advice is greatly appreciated, thanks!
Employer contributions should be reported in Box 12 with code W.
If your employer's $400 HSA contribution is missing from Box 12 with code W on your W-2, here’s what you can do:
This process ensures the $400 is correctly reported and included on HSA reporting Form 8889
Thank you for the answer! I just have one follow up regarding your bullet points.
From your first bullet point, I understand I should follow up with my employer and request a corrected W-2. However, regarding your second bullet point. Does that mean I theoretically don't need to request a corrected W-2 and will be able to correctly report the HSA contributions?
Yes, you can report the $400 HSA contribution without a corrected W-2. TurboTax lets you enter employer contributions that are not reported in Box 12 of your W-2 during the HSA section. It will correctly include them on Form 8889.
However, it's best to ask for a corrected W-2 to make sure your records match what the IRS has on file. If you can't get a corrected W-2, you can enter the amount manually. It is an acceptable option, but make sure to keep your records and documentation.