Wages
PrerequisitesYou should be familiar with or have completed the Interactive Input exercise in the Input Techniques section (Program Operations tutorial). ObjectiveIn this exercise, you will enter wages from a W-2 using the Interactive Input method. FactsEnter the following information for a sample client: |
| Client number | TUTWAGES |
| Client name | Wage Earner |
| Filing Status | Single |
| Wages | Data Entry: |
| Employer Name | Employer 1 |
| (13) Retirement Plan |
|
| (1) Wages | $60,000 |
| (2) Federal income tax withheld | $12,766 |
| Employer Name | Employer 2 |
| (13) Retirement Plan |
|
| (1) Wages | $23,500 |
| (2) Federal income tax withheld | $3,115 |
| (4) Social Security tax withheld | $1,950 |
| (12a) 401k Contributions | $3,525 |
Program Considerations
- You can enter W-2 information through the grid or the expanded input.
- The expanded input of Screen 10, Wages, Salaries, Tips is designed to facilitate data entry from a W-2. The numbers in parentheses preceding the descriptions refer to the box numbers on the W-2.
- Social security tax withheld and Medicare tax withheld are calculated automatically based on the wage amount amount entered; these amounts can be overriden.
- Check the Spouse box to indicate the W-2 relates to earnings of the spouse.
- Check the Retirement plan box to indicate the recipient of the W-2 is covered by an employer pension plan. This information is used to limit IRA contributions.
Note: If excess FICA is entered from one employer, the program issues a diagnostic listing the amount that should be refunded by the employer. If excess FICA is entered from a combination of two or more employers, the program automatically generates a credit for the excess amount.
- Check the Statutory employee box to indicate that the earnings are those of a statutory employee. If the taxpayer has more than one Schedule C, enter the prefix number of the related form in the Number of Schedule C field.
Note: If the taxpayer has both self-employment income and statutory employee income, you must enter the information on separate Schedule C screens.
- Check the More than 2% shareholder in S corporation box to indicate that the wages were received from an S corporation in which the taxpayer owns more than a 2% interest. This entry causes the program to include wages in net income for the self-employed health insurance deduction.
- The program provides an option to print a wage schedule containing all W-2 information for a return either as a worksheet or as a statement. For additional information on setting this option refer to the Tax Return exercise in the Before You Prepare a Return section (Program Operations tutorial).
How?
To enter W-2 information:
- Open the sample client.
- Open the Wages, Salaries, Tips screen.
- Enter the information from the Wages table above in the appropriate input fields.
To view a different W-2:
- Click the W-2 in the W-2 list.
To add a new W-2:
- Click Add at the bottom of the W-2 list.
To delete a W-2:
- Highlight the appropriate W-2.
- Click Delete at the bottom of the W-2 list.
Tips & Shortcuts
You can press [Ctrl]+[A] to add W-2's and [Ctrl]+[D] to delete W-2's.
Review
You should have entered W-2 information for the sample return and produced the following results on Form 1040:
| Line 7 - Wages, salaries, tips | $83,500 |
| Line 43 - Taxable income | $75,300 |
| Line 63 - Total tax | $15,598 |
| Line 67 - Excess social security | $90 |
Troubleshooting
Problem: I am not getting a credit for excess FICA on Form 1040.
Solution: Make sure that the Spouse box was not checked on either of the W-2s.