Do I submit a Form W3 if I file online?
Posted Feb. 27, 2009 by Gabriel Hurley
It's the little things that aren't said in the instructions for these forms that keep driving me crazy.
Like, for example, that form W3 is created and transmitted to the IRS automatically when you file your W2's online with the Social Security Administration's Business Services Online.
I mean, it makes sense given that form W3 is specifically the "Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements"... so if I file online there's my transmittal right there.
Still, in ten minutes of hunting I could find anywhere in the documentation, FAQs, or the instructions that simply said "If you file your W2's online, your W3 is filed automatically as well." It hinted at it, but I had to review the PDF of my electronic submission to be sure.
Fun times!
Well the form I found pretty clearly states not to submit it if you are sending in your W-2 electronically. So whether or not it submits it on it's own isn't that important because they tell you not to worry about it.
"A Form W-3 Transmittal is completed only when paper Copy A of
Form(s) W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, are being filed. Do not file
Form W-3 alone. Do not file Form W-3 for Form(s) W-2 that were
submitted electronically to the Social Security Administration (see
below). All paper forms must comply with IRS standards and be
machine readable. Photocopies and hand-printed forms are not
acceptable. Use a Form W-3 even if only one paper Form W-2 is
being filed. Make sure both the Form W-3 and Form(s) W-2 show
the correct tax year and Employer Identification Number (EIN). Make
a copy of this form and keep it with Copy D (For Employer) of
Form(s) W-2 for your records."
Well, you're a better man than I when it comes to finding tax form instructions ;-)