W-2s to my children for work performed throughout the year, do I need to send these to the IRS first? What is the general rule of thumb for these $12,500 max.

[lostnomad1]

I wasn't planning on paying them the max, all teenagers who've helped throughout the year with my business.

[Anonymous_]

Did you actually pay your children during the 2022 tax year, withhold taxes and FICA and file the 941s?

See https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i941

If so, you need to prepare the W-2s and W-3, file them with the IRS, and issue the W-2s to your children.

What do you mean by "general rule of thumb...."?