Taxpayer First Act

The Taxpayer First Act, which became Public Law 116-25 in July 2019, requires more employers to file W-2s or W-2Cs electronically. The IRS has not issued formal regulation on the implementation.

When the IRS issues formal guidance on implementing this new law, SSA will provide the dates.

The IRS has the authority to penalize any employer who does not file electronically if they meet the threshold.

Choices of how to file electronically

SSA offers a free product called W2 Online. It looks like a paper W-2 form, but it allows you to fill it in via SSA’s website.
If you currently use software to create your W-2 forms, check to see if it can create a file in the "EFW2" format. You can upload your file in this format for free using SSA’s Business Services Online. .
You can hire a third party who will prepare your W-2s and send them to SSA electronically on your behalf. There is normally a fee charged by the third party.

SSA does not recommend any particular third party. However, the IRS maintains a list of Approved Modernized eFile (MeF) Business Providers.

Resources

Videos

Handbooks etc.

FAQs

Need more? Check our frequently asked question for more information.

Web Service for Third Parties and Developers

The Electronic Wage Reporting Web Service (EWRWS) is for developers of payroll and tax reporting software, as well as payroll service providers, who wish to develop a web service client for filing wage reports electronically with SSA in the EFW2 format.