W-2 Forms › Form W-2C Box by Box Instructions for 2026

At a Glance
Form W-2C instructions guide you through completing corrections to previously filed W-2 forms. The form includes employer information (boxes a through d), employee details (boxes e through i), and wage and tax corrections (boxes 1 through 20). Complete only the boxes being corrected, entering both the previously reported amount and the correct information. BoomTax automatically generates the required W-3C transmittal form.

How to Complete Form W-2C

Form W-2C is used to correct errors on a previously filed W-2. This guide provides box-by-box instructions for completing the form correctly and submitting it to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

For an overview of when to file W-2C and common error types, see our W-2C Corrections guide.

Employer Information (Boxes a through d)

Box Description Instructions
Box a Tax year being corrected Enter the 4-digit year of the W-2 being corrected (e.g., 2024)
Box b Employer's EIN Enter your Employer Identification Number exactly as it appears on the original W-2
Box c Employer's name, address, ZIP Enter your current business name and address
Box d Control number Optional. Use the same control number from the original W-2 if applicable

Employee Information (Boxes e through i)

Box Description Instructions
Box e Correct SSN Enter the employee's correct Social Security number
Box f Previously reported SSN Enter the SSN from the original W-2 (if correcting SSN)
Box g Correct employee name Enter the employee's correct legal name
Box h Previously reported name Enter the name from the original W-2 (if correcting name)
Box i Employee's address Enter the employee's current address

Wage and Tax Corrections (Boxes 1 through 14)

For each box being corrected, you must complete both columns:

  • Column 1 (Previously reported): The amount shown on the original W-2
  • Column 2 (Correct information): The correct amount that should have been reported

Important: Only complete boxes that contain errors. Leave boxes that were correct on the original W-2 blank.

Box Description
1 Wages, tips, other compensation
2 Federal income tax withheld
3 Social Security wages
4 Social Security tax withheld
5 Medicare wages and tips
6 Medicare tax withheld
7 Social Security tips
8 Allocated tips
10 Dependent care benefits
11 Nonqualified plans
12a-d Coded items (retirement, insurance, etc.)
13 Checkboxes (Statutory employee, Retirement plan, Third-party sick pay)
14 Other

State and Local Information (Boxes 15 through 20)

If you are correcting state or local wage and tax information, complete these boxes using the same "Previously reported" and "Correct information" format.

Box Description
15 State and employer's state ID number
16 State wages, tips, etc.
17 State income tax
18 Local wages, tips, etc.
19 Local income tax
20 Locality name

Form W-3C Transmittal

When submitting Form W-2C to the SSA, you must include Form W-3C as a transmittal. The W-3C summarizes all W-2C forms being submitted together.

Key W-3C requirements:

  • File one W-3C per batch of W-2C forms
  • The W-3C totals should match the sum of all accompanying W-2C forms
  • Complete the "Previously reported totals" and "Correct totals" columns

E-File Form W-2C with BoomTax

E-file your Form W-2C with the SSA using BoomTax. Our platform automatically generates the required W-3C transmittal and validates your corrections before submission.

Import Your Form W-2C Data

You can import your data as Excel, XML, or use files from popular payroll providers like QuickBooks, UKG, ADP, and many more.

Step-By-Step Wizard

We walk you through the process with no complicated jargon. You can also live chat with a real person as you work on your filing for hands-on help.

E-File & Mail Employee Copies

Once your data is loaded, you can e-file and distribute employee copies in minutes.

External Resources

Ken Ham
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Ken Ham
Founder at BoomTax
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