Get Your 2009 W-2 Online!

What is a W-2?

If you were employed by Emory University between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009, you will receive a Form W-2. Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, is used in the United States income tax system as an information return to report wages paid to employees and the taxes withheld from them. Employers must complete a Form W-2 for each employee to whom they pay a salary, wage, or other compensation as part of the employment relationship. An employer must deliver the Form W-2 to employees on or before January 31 of the calendar year. The Form W-2 reports income on a calendar year (January 1 through December 31) basis, regardless of the fiscal year used by the employer for other Federal tax purposes. However, this refers to the time period in which an employee has been compensated, not necessarily the actual dates of employment.

The form consists of six copies:

• Copy A - Submitted by the employer to the Social Security Administration.
• Copy B - To be sent to the employee and filed by the employee with the employee's federal income tax returns.
• Copy C - To be sent to the employee, to be retained by the employee for the employee's records.
• Copy D - To be retained by the employer, for the employer's records.
• Copy 1 - To be filed with the employee's state or local income tax returns (if any).
• Copy 2 - To be filed with the employee's state or local income tax returns (if any).

Employers are instructed to send copies B, C, 1, and 2 to their employees generally by January 31 of the year immediately following the year of income to which the Form W-2 relates, which gives taxpayers about 2½ months before the April 15 income tax due date. (The January AC’CENT will contain information on filing your 2009 income tax return.)

Benefits of an Online W-2

If you have not already done so, register today to get your W-2 online. Emory University, Emory Healthcare, and Wesley Senior Living employees can receive their W-2s electronically by registering online. Online W-2s are available after January15. (Paper W-2s do not get mailed until late January.) You have access to current and past W-2s (up to four years). If you receive a paper W-2 but lose it, you will need to go online after February to get a reprint. Plus it works with online tax software programs, such as TurboTax, TaxCut, EzTax Return, and Complete Tax. Once you’re in the software program, just click to download your W-2. The IRS has approved the delivery of your W-2 online with your consent.

If you registered to receive your W-2 online in prior years you do not need to re-register to receive your 2010 W-2 online. However, it is suggested that you review your Account Information online to ensure your email address is accurate.

For more information, registration instructions, and responses to frequently asked questions, go to http://www.hr.emory.edu/newsyoucanuse/index.html