Form W-2/ Year End

Case Western Reserve University is required to furnish all employees with a Form W-2 showing their compensation and tax withholding amounts for the calendar year by January 31 of the following year. You will use the W-2 to complete your yearly tax return by April 15. 

Go Paperless

Opt out of receiving a paper Form W-2 and take advantage of the secure, fast, and convenient electronic form that you can download and save to your personal records. To opt out of receiving a paper Form W-2, navigate to HCM and going to Main Menu > Self Service > Payroll > W-2 Tax Information.

An electronic Form W-2 ensures:

  • Your W-2 is posted securely on HCM
  • You have the earliest access to your Form W-2
  • You no longer have to deal with headaches and delays due to lost or misdirected mail 
  • You can easily print or download & save a copy to your personal computer or cloud application

W2 Information

For information on how to view W2's and W2 electronic only consent please visit the HCM Training Webpage.
For students needing information on how to enter W2 override addresses please visit the SIS Training Webpage.

How to Access Your Previously Issued W-2s

Access your electronic W-2s in HCM.

Explanation of Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement

Forms and instructions are available for download at the following web sites: IRS web site www.irs.gov, State of Ohio web site www.tax.ohio.gov. 

The Payroll Office does NOT provide tax preparation advice or services.  You may wish to seek expert advice from an accountant or tax attorney in preparing your tax returns. 

W2 Box #

Description

Explanation

Section where information is located on your last paystub

1

Wages, Tips, and Other Compensation

Taxable earnings for federal income tax purposes. This amount is computed as follows:  Earnings for the year (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31)

Plus: 

  • cost of employer provided group term life insurance in excess of $50,000 (Box 12)
  • employee/dependent graduate level fee authorization
  • total of taxable fringe benefits for university-provided vehicles (Vehicle Reporting – Box 14), athletic activities (Athletic Activity Reporting), golf course membership (Golf Course), and/or non-cash awards (Non-Cash Award)
  • taxable moving expenses (Moving Reimbursement)
  • tips (Tips)
  • homeownership loan

 

Minus:

  • Employee retirement contribution (alternative retirement plan)
  • IRS Code Section 403(b) tax deferred annuity contributions and/or IRS Code Section 457 deferred compensation contributions
  • IRS Code Section 125 employee cost-shared medical, vision and/or dental premiums
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (HCFSA & FSA) contributions 
  • Before-tax parking deduction (Parking)
These items are listed in the Before Tax Deductions section of the paystub

2

Federal Income Tax Withheld

Federal income tax withheld.

Taxes

3

Social Security Wages

Social Security taxable wages.

Wages

4

Social Security Tax Withheld

Social Security tax withheld.

Taxes

5

Medicare Wages & Tips

Wages subject to Medicare Hospital Insurance tax: (Faculty and staff appointed on or after April 1, 1986, federal employees in CWRU Extension, and students enrolled less than 6 credit hours are subject to this tax.)  This amount is computed as follows: Earnings for the year (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31)

Plus:

  • cost of employer provided group term life insurance (Group Life) in excess of $50,000 (Box 12)
  • employee/dependent graduate level fee authorization
  • total of taxable fringe benefits for university-provided vehicles  (Vehicle Reporting-Box 14), athletic activities (Athletic Activity Reporting), golf course membership (Golf Course), and/or non-cash awards (Non-Cash Award) 
  • taxable moving expenses (Moving Reimbursement)
  • tips (Tips)
  • homeownership loan

 

Minus: 

  • IRS Code Section 125 employee cost-shared premiums
  • Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA & FSA) contributions
  • pre-tax parking (Parking)

These items are listed in the Before Tax Deductions section of the  paystub

6

Medicare Tax Withheld

1.45% Medicare Hospital Insurance Tax withheld on wages reported in Box 5

Taxes

9

Advance EIC Payment

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

10

Dependent Care Benefits

Dependent care contributions withheld and/or day care reimbursements

Before Tax Deductions

12

C

Cost of employer provided group term life insurance in excess of $50,000

Employer Paid Benefits

 

DD

Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance

Not Applicable

 

E

IRS Code Section 403(b) tax deferred annuity contributions

Before Tax Deductions

 

G

IRS Code Section 457 deferred compensation contributions

Before Tax Deductions

 

T

Adoption Benefit (Adoption Reimbursement)

Hours and Earnings

13

Retirement Plan

Checked if any contributions were made to PERS, STRS, or an alternative retirement plan (ARP)

Not Applicable

14N

Vehicle Reporting

Cost of personal use of university provided car(s)

Hours and Earnings

15

State & Employer’s State I.D. Number

Appropriate state abbreviation and employer’s state I.D. number

Not Applicable

16

State Wages, Tips, Etc.

Taxable earnings for state income tax purposes (same as Box #1 if  State of Ohio)

Same as items listed in Box #1

17

State Income Tax

State income tax withheld

Taxes

18

School District Code/Tax

School district code and school district income tax amount withheld

Taxes

18

Local Wages, Tips, Etc.

Taxable earnings for each locality withheld for (includes withholding for Work Locality & Resident Locality, if applicable).  May have multiple localities listed.

Taxes

19

Local Income Tax

Local income tax withheld for each locality

Taxes

20

Locality name

Name of city, town or village for which tax was withheld - Local tax, earnings and name of locality. 

Taxes

Disclosure Statement

  • Terminated Employees: All terminated employees will receive a paper W-2 mailed to the address on their employee record. Terminated employees can contact HR for instructions on updating personal information.
  • Updating Information for Active Employees: It is the employee’s responsibility to notify Human Resources of any changes to personal information such as social security number or name by submitting a Change of Record form. Address changes must be made via HCM.
  • Hardware and Software Requirements: The hardware and software requirements needed to access, print and retain Form W-2 electronically include an internet connection, web browser, and Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Inaccessible W-2s or Technical Problems: If an employee is unable to access their form online due to a technical problem, incorrect login or password, or incorrect e-mail address, the employee may request a paper copy.