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W2 Form 2027 is the IRS Wage and Tax Statement for wages paid to employees during the 2027 calendar year. Employers use it to report compensation and taxes withheld. Employees use the completed statement to prepare their federal and, when applicable, state and local income tax returns.
The IRS has posted a 2027 Form W-2 draft. It includes a new Saver’s Match destination field and retains reporting fields for cash tips and qualified overtime. The draft is available for review, but it cannot be filed.
Looking for a W-2 to file your taxes during 2027? You will usually need your 2026 W-2, which reports 2026 wages. A W-2 marked 2027 normally arrives in early 2028.
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. Draft provisions are identified below; use the final form and applicable instructions when filing.
Download the W2 Form 2027 draft PDF
Download the official IRS W2 Form 2027 draft PDF
The IRS draft is free to view and download. Its cover and form pages are marked DRAFT — DO NOT FILE. Use it to review the proposed layout, prepare payroll systems, or understand upcoming reporting fields.
Before preparing an actual wage statement, visit the official IRS Form W-2 page and select the final form for the correct tax year. Draft download addresses can later point to a newer draft, so check the year printed on the PDF.
A blank IRS form is also different from your personal W-2. To obtain your own completed wage statement, contact your employer or use its payroll portal.
W2 Form 2027 overview
| Item | What it means |
|---|---|
| Official name | Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement |
| Tax year | Wages paid January 1 through December 31, 2027 |
| Prepared by | The employer or its authorized payroll provider |
| Used by employees | To report wages and withholding on an income tax return |
| Employer filing destination | Social Security Administration, generally through its wage reporting services |
| Usual reporting deadline | January 31 of the following year, subject to applicable exceptions |
| Current 2027 form status | IRS draft available for review |
| Key layout addition | Box 14c for the Saver’s Match Destination Number |
Employers generally prepare a separate W-2 for each employee who meets the reporting requirements. Employees with several employers may receive several forms. Keep them together so all wage income is included when preparing the return.
The W-2 reports the year in which wages were paid. For example, a paycheck paid in January 2027 for work performed in December 2026 generally belongs on the 2027 wage statement.
See IRS guidance on filing Forms W-2 and W-3 for the roles of the employer, employee, and SSA.
IRS updates affecting W2 Form 2027
New Box 14c for the Saver’s Match
The 2027 draft adds Box 14c, Saver’s Match DN. DN means Destination Number. The employee instructions connect this number with Form 8880-A when an eligible employee wants an employer-sponsored retirement plan to receive a Saver’s Match.
The IRS Saver’s Match guidance explains that the program begins with eligible retirement contributions for 2027, claimed on a 2027 federal tax return filed in 2028. Depending on eligibility, the federal match can be up to 50% of qualifying contributions, with a maximum match of $1,000 per person.
Box 14c is a routing identifier for the retirement benefit. It is not an additional amount of wages or federal income tax withheld. Employers should follow final reporting instructions for when and how to populate it.
Tip and overtime fields continue into 2027
The draft retains these reporting items:
| Field | Information shown |
|---|---|
| Box 12 code TP | Cash tips reported to the employer, including applicable charged and shared tips |
| Box 12 code TT | Qualified overtime compensation |
| Box 14b | Treasury Tipped Occupation Code or Codes |
| Box 14a | Other reportable information |
These fields already appear in the IRS’s 2026 reporting materials. They should not be described as entirely new features introduced for the first time in 2027.
Amounts reported with codes TP and TT help employees evaluate the qualified tips and overtime deductions. They do not automatically establish the full deduction a taxpayer can claim. Eligibility rules, income limitations, and the applicable tax return instructions still apply.
The 2027 draft also retains Box 12 code TA for employer contributions under a qualifying Trump account contribution program. This is a separate reporting category from the Saver’s Match.
Social Security wage base increases for 2027
The SSA 2027 fact sheet sets the Social Security taxable maximum at $192,300, compared with $184,500 for 2026.
For an employee fully subject to Social Security tax, the 6.2% employee rate produces a maximum regular employee Social Security tax of $11,922.60 for 2027. Medicare tax remains 1.45% on covered wages without an annual wage ceiling.
Employers also withhold Additional Medicare Tax at 0.9% once wages and tips paid to an employee by that employer exceed $200,000 during the calendar year. The employee’s final Additional Medicare Tax liability depends on the tax return rules and filing status.
Avoid outdated wage reporting thresholds
A universal statement that a W-2 is needed only after an employee earns $600 is inaccurate.
The current General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3 require reporting when specified withholding conditions apply, regardless of the wage amount. They also explain that the separate no-withholding wage threshold rose to $2,000 for 2026 and is indexed after 2026.
For 2027, apply the published threshold for that year and the full reporting rules. Do not treat either the old $600 figure or the 2026 $2,000 figure as a blanket 2027 exemption.
W2 Form 2027 deadlines and the 2027 filing season
The tax year printed on the form determines which wages it reports.
| Situation | Correct form | Normal employer deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting 2026 wages during the 2027 filing season | 2026 Form W-2 | February 1, 2027, because January 31 is a Sunday |
| Reporting wages paid during 2027 | 2027 Form W-2 | January 31, 2028, under the current January 31 rule |
The January 31, 2028 date is the expected deadline under the existing rule, rather than a claim that final 2027 instructions have already been issued. Check the final instructions and any applicable disaster relief before relying on a filing date.
The employer’s deadline to furnish employee copies and its deadline to file wage reports with SSA are separate obligations, even when they fall on the same day. Electronic filing does not ordinarily provide a later W-2 deadline.
Extensions for filing W-2s are limited and are not automatic. An extension to file with SSA does not automatically extend the time to furnish employee statements. Use the applicable IRS extension procedures for each obligation.
Sources: IRS Topic 752 and current W-2 and W-3 instructions.
Who needs to prepare or receive a W2 Form 2027
Employers
Employers prepare wage statements when their employees meet the W-2 reporting requirements. This includes former employees who received reportable wages during the year. Hiring a payroll service does not remove the need to verify that the business’s reporting obligations are fulfilled.
Household employment, agricultural work, certain foreign workers, and US territories can involve special forms or rules. Use the relevant employment tax instructions rather than assuming that every worker falls under the same reporting exception.
Employees
If you received employee wages during 2027, your employer may need to issue a 2027 W-2 even if you worked for only part of the year. Confirm that payroll has your correct name, Social Security number, and current mailing address.
If you changed jobs, collect a statement from each employer that must report your wages. A payroll portal may provide electronic access, but availability and delivery depend on the employer’s procedures and applicable consent rules.
Independent contractors
Independent contractors generally receive an applicable Form 1099 rather than a W-2 for their nonemployee compensation. Worker classification depends on the working relationship and tax rules. Choosing a form does not itself determine whether a worker is an employee.
How to read W2 Form 2027
Start with the employee and employer identification fields. A name, SSN, or EIN error can cause matching problems even when the dollar amounts are correct.
Identification fields
| Field | Information to review |
|---|---|
| a | Employee Social Security number |
| b | Employer identification number |
| c | Employer name and address |
| d | Employer control number, if used |
| e and f | Employee name and address |
The control number is an employer tracking reference. It is different from an SSN, EIN, or the new Saver’s Match Destination Number.
Wage and tax boxes
| Box | What it generally reports |
|---|---|
| 1 | Compensation included in federal taxable wages |
| 2 | Federal income tax withheld |
| 3 | Wages subject to Social Security tax, excluding separately reported Social Security tips |
| 4 | Employee Social Security tax withheld |
| 5 | Medicare wages and tips |
| 6 | Employee Medicare tax withheld, including Additional Medicare Tax when applicable |
| 7 | Social Security tips |
| 8 | Allocated tips, which require separate review |
| 9 | Reserved field |
| 10 | Dependent care benefits |
| 11 | Certain nonqualified plan distributions |
| 12 | Coded benefits, deferrals, and other reporting items |
| 13 | Statutory employee, retirement plan, and third-party sick pay indicators |
| 14a | Other information |
| 14b | Treasury Tipped Occupation Code or Codes |
| 14c | Saver’s Match Destination Number in the 2027 draft |
| 15 through 20 | State and local employer identifiers, wages, withholding, and locality information |
Box 1 does not always equal Box 3, Box 5, or gross pay on the final pay stub. For example, a qualifying pretax retirement deferral can reduce federal taxable wages while remaining subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes.
State wages can also differ from federal wages because state tax treatment is not always identical. Review each amount according to its own reporting rules.
The field labels and new Box 14c appear in the 2027 draft. Use the final year-specific instructions for detailed calculations and special reporting situations.
Common Box 12 codes employees should recognize
Box 12 combines a code with a dollar amount. The code determines what the amount means.
| Code | General meaning |
|---|---|
| D | Employee elective deferrals to a section 401(k) arrangement |
| E | Elective deferrals under a section 403(b) arrangement |
| G | Certain deferrals and employer contributions to a section 457(b) plan |
| AA | Designated Roth contributions to a section 401(k) plan |
| BB | Designated Roth contributions to a section 403(b) plan |
| W | Employer HSA contributions, including applicable employee contributions through a cafeteria plan |
| DD | Cost of employer-sponsored health coverage, generally informational rather than taxable income |
| TA | Qualifying employer Trump account contributions |
| TP | Cash tips reported to the employer |
| TT | Qualified overtime compensation |
This is a selected list, not every available code. Do not add every Box 12 amount to wages or subtract every amount from taxable income. Follow the instructions for the specific code and any related tax form.
For tips, review Box 14b along with code TP. The draft employee instructions state that code 000 with no other occupation code does not identify qualifying tips for the deduction.
For overtime, code TT refers to qualified overtime compensation, generally the FLSA-required premium portion. It is not necessarily all wages earned while working overtime.
See the employee instructions in the IRS draft and the general instructions.
W2 copies and where they go
| Copy | Main purpose |
|---|---|
| A | Employer wage reporting to SSA |
| B | Employee federal tax return use |
| C | Employee records |
| 1 | State or local tax department reporting when required |
| 2 | Employee state or local income tax return use |
| D | Employer records |
Electronic tax software generally asks employees to enter or import the W-2 information. Follow its attachment instructions. If filing a federal paper return, follow that return’s instructions for attaching the appropriate copy.
Keep a secure copy of the statement and any correction. It contains identity and income information that can be misused if sent through an unverified email address or uploaded to an unrelated website.
How employers should prepare and file W2 Form 2027
1 Reconcile the payroll records
Compare annual wage and withholding totals with payroll registers and the relevant employment tax returns. Resolve differences before filing. Businesses that report quarterly employment taxes can also review our Form 941 guide for background on the relationship between quarterly reporting and annual wage statements.
2 Check employee data and reporting categories
Verify names, SSNs, addresses, taxable wages, benefits, retirement deferrals, tips, and qualified overtime reporting. Prepare for the 2027 draft’s additional Saver’s Match field using final IRS and retirement plan instructions.
3 Determine whether electronic filing is required
Under the current rule, filers generally must e-file when they are required to file 10 or more information returns in aggregate during the calendar year. Count the covered return types together; this is not simply a threshold of 10 W-2s.
Exceptions and waivers have specific requirements. See IRS Topic 801.
4 Use the appropriate SSA reporting service
SSA offers free online W-2 filing options through Business Services Online and its employer reporting services. Employers may also use supported payroll software or a service provider, which can charge fees.
Set up and verify account access before the deadline. Retain the submission receipt and review the report’s processing status so a rejected report is not mistaken for an accepted filing.
5 Furnish employee copies and retain records
Provide employee statements using a permitted delivery method. If using electronic delivery, meet the applicable consent and access requirements.
Paper filers generally transmit Copy A with Form W-3. SSA’s electronic reporting process handles the corresponding transmittal information; do not send a duplicate paper W-3 for the same electronic filing.
The SSA electronic filing handbook explains reporting procedures and follow-up.
Can you print and file the W2 Form 2027 PDF
Do not file the 2027 draft. Even after a final version becomes available, the downloadable Copy A posted for informational use is not automatically suitable for SSA paper filing.
The IRS’s Form W-2 PDF instructions warn that printing the informational Copy A from IRS.gov does not produce the required scannable form. Paper filers need approved forms or compliant substitutes. Employee copies have different printing rules.
For many employers, SSA electronic filing avoids the need to obtain scannable paper Copy A forms. Check the mandatory e-filing rule before choosing a paper workflow.
A “printable W2 Form 2027” should therefore be described by its intended use: draft review, employee copy, employer record, or an approved filing copy. Those uses are not interchangeable.
What to do if your W2 is missing or incorrect
If the statement has not arrived
First, contact the employer or payroll department. Confirm whether the form was mailed, delivered electronically, or made available through a payroll portal.
If it is still missing after you have contacted the employer, follow the IRS missing W-2 guidance. The IRS generally directs taxpayers to contact it if the problem remains unresolved by the end of February.
Keep your final pay stubs and records of your efforts to obtain the statement. The IRS may direct you to use Form 4852, a substitute for Form W-2, to report estimated wages and withholding.
If an amount or identifying detail is wrong
Ask the employer to correct the information. Employers generally use Form W-2c to correct a wage report already filed with SSA. Employees should not edit an employer-issued statement to create their own corrected W-2.
If you have already filed a tax return using incorrect information, determine whether an amended return is needed. See IRS Topic 154.
If you need an older statement
An IRS wage and income transcript can show W-2 information reported to the IRS, subject to availability. It does not include all state and local W-2 information and is not necessarily a complete replacement for the employer’s statement.
Contact the employer first when you need a complete copy, especially for state tax filing.
Common W2 Form 2027 mistakes to avoid
- Using the wrong tax year. Wages paid in 2027 generally go on a 2027 W-2, even if the work was performed earlier.
- Calling every reporting field new. Tip and overtime reporting fields already appear in 2026 materials; Box 14c is the notable addition in the 2027 draft.
- Treating all compensation boxes as identical. Federal, Social Security, Medicare, and state wage bases can differ.
- Treating a reporting code as an automatic deduction. Codes TP and TT support deduction calculations but do not replace eligibility rules.
- Filing the draft or an unsuitable paper Copy A. Use final approved filing materials.
- Counting only W-2s for the electronic filing threshold. Other covered information returns can count toward the aggregate.
- Ignoring a rejected SSA submission. Check the report status and correct errors.
- Sending duplicate wage reports. A second submission is not the standard way to fix an accepted report.
Late filing, incorrect information, and failure to furnish employee copies can trigger separate penalties. Dollar amounts depend on the applicable filing year and circumstances, so use the final instructions rather than a penalty table copied from an earlier year.
W2 Form 2027 frequently asked questions
Is the W2 Form 2027 available now
An IRS draft is available at the download link above as of October 31, 2026. It is for review and planning. Check the IRS Form W-2 page for the final filing version.
When should I receive my 2027 W2
Under the usual rule, employers furnish the W-2 for 2027 wages by January 31, 2028. Some employers provide statements earlier. Special reporting situations and approved relief can affect deadlines.
Which W2 do I need to file taxes in 2027
For the usual 2027 filing season, you need the W-2 for 2026 wages. Check the year printed on the form rather than using the year you download it.
Do employees fill out their own W2
Ordinarily, the employer prepares it. Employees review the statement and use its information to complete their tax returns. Form 4852 is a separate substitute used under the applicable missing or incorrect form procedures.
Does a W2 show my refund
No. It shows compensation and withholding. A refund or balance due depends on the full tax return, including other income, deductions, credits, and payments.
Why do I have more than one W2
You may have had several employers, worked in more than one state, or received additional reporting copies. Review each form carefully and avoid reporting the same wages twice.
Does the new Saver’s Match field mean I automatically receive money
No. Eligibility, qualifying contributions, and the required tax return claim still matter. Box 14c provides destination information for the relevant retirement plan.
Can I download my personal W2 from the IRS draft link
No. The link contains a blank draft. Obtain your completed statement from your employer; use IRS transcript services when appropriate.
Are state and federal filing requirements identical
No. State reporting, withholding treatment, and delivery requirements can differ. Check the relevant state tax agency’s current instructions.
Official sources and forms
- 2027 Form W-2 draft PDF
- IRS Form W-2 page and final revisions
- General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3
- SSA 2027 Social Security changes
- IRS Saver’s Match guidance
- SSA employer wage reporting
- IRS electronic information return requirements
- IRS missing or incorrect W-2 guidance
This independent guide explains US federal reporting. Final IRS instructions and applicable state rules govern the actual filing.