W-2 Questions and Answers: For Employees

1) If I have general questions about my W-2 who do I call?

Contact your agency payroll office. Agency payroll offices now have the ability to view/re-print 2011 through current year W-2's and W-2C's.

2) If I have security questions regarding how to access Core-CT, who can I call?

You should contact your agency's security liaison for questions about this. Here is a link to a list of security liaisons for each state agency:

 https://www.core-ct.state.ct.us/security/CP-HRMS_LIAISONS_LIST-long-sort.aspx

3) Are there employee-level instructions regarding how to view W-2�s, update W-2 consent status�s, add/update email addresses and home/mail addresses?

Yes, the employee-level instructions are posted under the following URL:

https://www.core-ct.state.ct.us/selfservice/payroll/Default.htm

4) I revoked my consent to have electronic W2 forms via W-2 consent page in Core-CT. When attempting to save the Core-CT consent page change, I�m receiving a message that says I do not have a preferred email address and will not receive email confirmations. How can I correct this to ensure I will receive electronic messages?

As long as the agency has the "electronic update of address and email address" option accessible to their employees, the employee may follow this job aid to add an email address:
https://www.core-ct.state.ct.us/selfservice/payroll/pdf/Self_Service_Add_Email_Address_Job_Aid.pdf

5) What is the last day I can update my W-2 consent status or change my home/mailing address if I receive a printed W-2?

December 28th is the last day for calendar year 2020.

6) Why can�t I log-on to Core-CT on my Apple device?

 For a list of all supported browsers, you can visit the following URL: https://www.core-ct.state.ct.us/support/pdf/Supported_Browser.pdf

7) What if I need a re-print of a W-2 that pre-dates calendar year 2011?

Contact your agency payroll office. Agencies can request W-2�s going back as far as 1990 through the Comptrollers office.

8) My department info and employee id is included on the second address line in the envelope window of my W-2. Why is this information listed here?

This information is for employees who received a printed W-2 in the mail from OSC. The department/employee id info allows OSC to forward any returned W-2�s to agencies due to an outdated employee-level mailing address.

9) If I need a W-2 correction (W-2-C), will the W-2-C be available via the self-service
page?

Yes, the W-2-C will be available to you via the self-service page (assuming you have Core-CT self-service access).

10) If I�m teaching part time but have retired from state service, will my W-2 be available on-line? Does the state create one W-2 which includes my pension and part time earnings?

You will receive a 1099-R (mailed, not available online) for your retirement wages and a W-2 for your teaching wages. The W-2 will be available to you online as long as you have self-service access to Core-CT.

11) Why are my Box 1 Federal wages not equal to my Box 16 State Wages?

Certain deduction codes are subject to Federal tax but not State tax (example: Taxable medical deduction codes). The difference between the Federal wages and State Wages should match the taxable deduction YTD total(s). Check with your agency payroll office on this if you have additional questions.

12) How far back can W-2's have corrections issued (via W-2-C's)?

Generally, 3 years is the rule (for FICA/Medicare corrections per section 205(c)(1) of the Social Security Act (also called 42 U.S.C. 405)).

13) What is the amount listed in Box 14Y (414H)?

Annual employee level retirement contribution totals.

14) Can the Comptrollers Office (APPSD) refund prior year state or federal taxes?

No, once the calendar year is closed, only FICA/Medicare can be refunded and/or adjusted for employees via the W-2-C process (generally, 3 years is the farthest we can go back and refund/adjust for SS/Medicare per section 205(c)(1) of the Social Security Act (also called 42 U.S.C. 405)). Additional information regarding prior year taxes and/or the Statute of Limitations can be found in IRS Publication 525.

15) Why is the "Total Gross YTD" column on my pay/advice stub not equal to my Federal Wage (Box 1) on my W-2?

Box 1 (Federal Wage) on the W-2 is total wages minus pre-tax deductions (year to date). Your pre-tax deduction year to date totals are also listed on your check/advice stubs. In addition, if you have been paid non-taxable earnings during the calendar year, these earnings are included in your total gross on your check/advice stub but are not included on your W-2 (as these earnings are non-taxable).

16) What does Box 12 DD "Cost of Employer Sponsored Health Coverage" represent and why is it on the W-2?

The total amount in Box 12 DD represents the aggregate employee and employer share
medical costs as well as the aggregate employer prescription cost (for Core-CT users, the eligible plan types are: 10, 15, 1A, 1B). This amount is not inclusive of dental costs. The reason(s) this amount is included on the W2 can be found under the following IRS URL:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/employer-provided-health-coverage-informational-reporting-requirements-questions-and-answers
 
or Section 6051(a)(14) provides generally that the aggregate cost of applicable employer-sponsored coverage (as defined in � 4980I(d)(1)) must be reported on Form W-2.

17) When I click on my e-W-2 in Core-CT, I'm receiving an "Error 404 �Not Found" error. I'm using Internet Explorer version 11 (IE 11) browser to sign-on to Core-CT. How do I fix this?

You will need to add https://*.ct.gov  to your trusted sites within IE 11. There is a Core-CT document that will guide you through this process:

https://www.core-ct.state.ct.us/support/pdf/trusted_sites.pdf

18) Why are my current year W-2 taxable earnings lower when I compare them to last year�s W-2 taxable earnings?

The reason for the lower W-2 earnings is most likely due to the increase Retiree Health Fund (OPEB, OPE2) and/or Benefit Deductions for the current calendar year. Review your before tax deduction year to date totals on your last check/advice stub (year-to-date) or contact your agency payroll office for more information.

19) Why is my full first name not displaying on my W-2?

This issue is limited to employees who have hyphenated last names. If you would like to have your full first name display on your W-2, please contact your agency payroll office and request a W2-C name change correction. This is not mandatory, as the IRS will recognize and process your W-2 as long as your social security number is correct. This issue will be corrected in a future release of our W-2 process.

20) Why is Box 9 highlighted on my W2?

This is an IRS defined specialty box that will not be populated for the 2019 W-2 and W-2C filing year.

21) Why did I receive more than one W-2 form for calendar year 2020?

"Included in Box 14, if applicable, are amounts paid to you as qualified sick leave wages or qualified family leave wages under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Specifically, up to three types of paid qualified sick leave wages or qualified family leave wages are reported in Box 14, each will be separately listed on an additional W-2 form but are included in totals on your ORIGINAL wage totals. DO NOT add these wages to your original totals.:
    i. Sick leave wages subject to the $511 per day limit because of care you required;
   ii. Sick leave wages subject to the $200 per day limit because of care you provided to another; and
   iii. Emergency family leave wages.
If you have self-employment income in addition to wages we paid to you, and you intend to claim any qualified sick leave or qualified family leave equivalent credits, you must report the qualified sick leave or qualified family leave wages on Form 7202, Credits for Sick Leave and Family Leave for Certain Self-Employed Individuals, included with your income tax return and reduce any qualified sick leave or qualified family leave equivalent credits by the amount of these qualified leave wages."