Concerns about Box 12 on my W-2

Thaiman
Thaiman Member Posts: 4 Newcomer

This year I got two reference copies of my W-2 from my workplace. One is an employee reference copy, the other is the city/local reference copy.

All of the information on both copies pf my W-2 is the same, except for two things, specifically box 12a and 12b: the numbers under code C and code D differ between the Employee Reference copy and the City/Local Reference copy of my W-2.

What do I go off of when filing my taxes, what should I do?

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Comments

  • JMSSGV
    JMSSGV Member, Star Posts: 332 image

    Since you didn't specify what state or city you're located in, there's no way to answer that question other than to say for your Federal income taxes, you enter everything that's in Box 12 on the main copy of your W-2.

    This assumes that neither of these is a Corrected W-2 (W-2).

    Do you have city or local taxes? If so, are some portions of the Box 12 entries not applicable to that particular locale?

  • Thaiman
    Thaiman Member Posts: 4 Newcomer
  • JMSSGV
    JMSSGV Member, Star Posts: 332 image

    And? Does Grand Rapids or your county have any kind of local income tax?

  • Thaiman
    Thaiman Member Posts: 4 Newcomer

    Yes, my city has local income tax, and i just read on the city of Grand Rapids website that if you live or work in the city that you have to file a local tax return after filing for federal

  • JanaA
    JanaA FreeTaxUSA Agent Posts: 164 image
    edited April 3

    Hello Thaiman! For your federal and Michigan state tax returns, you should use the Employee Copy of your W-2. Enter the Box 12 amounts exactly as they appear on that copy. The city/local copy is provided for your records in connection with your Grand Rapids city return, but the employee copy is the authoritative one for federal and state filing purposes.

    It is worth noting that Code C (taxable cost of group-term life insurance) and Code D (your 401k contributions) generally should not differ between copies of the same W-2. If the amounts are significantly different, it may be worth checking with your employer's payroll department to confirm the W-2 was prepared correctly.

    Regarding your Grand Rapids city return, you are correct that you are required to file one since you live or work in the city. Unfortunately, FreeTaxUSA does not currently support Grand Rapids city income tax returns, so you will need to file that return separately. You can find the forms and filing options, including online filing, directly. See the below link to that site. The Grand Rapids Income Tax Department can also be reached at (616) 456-3415 if you have questions about the city return itself.

    https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/departments/fiscal-services/income-tax/individual-taxpayers/

  • Thaiman
    Thaiman Member Posts: 4 Newcomer

    Thank you so much, this info has been really helpful to me! I just finished my federal and state taxes and they both got accepted!👍 I’ll remember this info when i file my local taxes