In this month's newsletter article, I addressed the new & somewhat scary topic of people coming to the library expecting help in finding their W-2 online. Our colleagues at the Austin Public Library put together some tips for librarians to assist patrons.
Thanks to Carolyn Rogers, Diane Palan, & Michael Abramov for keeping us in the loop. Laurie Laurie Mahaffey, Deputy Director Central Texas Library System, Inc. 1005 West 41st Street Austin, Texas 78756 www.ctls.net [email protected] 512-583-0704 x18 800-262-4431 x18 Reference Tip of the Week How to Print a W-2 Some employers are opting to make employees' W-2s available online. In order to access a W2 (if the employer puts it online), customers will need instructions for logging into the site where the (very private) W2 is posted. Ideally, the customer should contact the human resources department or employer for instructions on how to log in. There are various online services which employers are using for printing an original or a copy of a W-2. Users search for their W-2s by entering their employer's name or ID and their own employee ID number or Social Security number. Users also need to have a PIN or password that is determined by the employer. The problem is that no one service includes all employers, and the employer must have a contract with the W-2 service.. The company may even have set up its own website for printing W-2s. Companies are using: W2express www.w2express.com <http://www.w2express.com/> Eprintview https://www.eprintview.com/Controller.jpf Payroll Online www.payrollonline.com <http://www.payrollonline.com/> ADP https://w2.adp.com/W2Services/index.jsf These are the general instructions: Step One Find out if employer participates in allowing access of your W-2 online. Check with the Human Resource Department or whoever is in charge of payroll and tax information. Step Two Go to the website that the employer provides to access W-2 online. Employee needs to ask their company which one they use. Step Three Create an account on the employer provided website. Users will be asked to enter Social Security number and Employee ID. Choose a password or use the password that employer provides. Step Four Login to the account. Sites will vary slightly but most will have an icon or button saying click here to access your W-2. Users should follow the on screen instructions for the site they are using. Step Five View the W-2 online. Users will also be able to print it out and make as many copies as needed. keyword: tax forms <http://libro/bulletin/004034/index.cfm?action=keyword&keyword=tax%20for ms> Posted by Carolyn Rogers on Friday, January 16, 2009 Updated 9:55 AM, Tuesday, January 20, 2009 by Carolyn Rogers Reference Tip of the Week Tax News <http://libro/bulletin/004034/index.cfm?action=message&messageid=1210> Customers can use computers to file electronically for free using the IRS' Free File program. www.irs.gov <http://www.irs.gov/> = selelct Online Resources on the left-hand side. The Free File program provides free federal income tax preparation and electronic filing for eligible taxpayers (income cap) through a partnership between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Free File Alliance LLC, a group of private sector tax software companies. Free File supports preparation of Federal tax returns.Free tax preparation and e-filing if adjusted gross income is $56,000 or less in 2008. * Asks simple questions, puts answers on the right forms. * Covers the most commonly used forms and schedules. * Includes Federal e-file - get your refund in as little as 10 days with Direct Deposit * Does all the math. * Quick confirmation within 48 hours that your return was received by the IRS. * Available in Spanish <http://www.irs.gov/espanol/article/0,,id=163297,00.html> . keyword: tax forms <http://libro/bulletin/004034/index.cfm?action=keyword&keyword=tax%20for ms> Posted by Carolyn Rogers on Saturday, January 31, 2009 Updated 1:07 PM, Tuesday, February 3, 2009 by Carolyn Rogers ________________________________ Employees are directed to go to the library to print out W-2s, but some of them come without complete information. Employers are required to provide the employees the URL and other instructions, such as EINs or other information needed to retrieve their own W-2s. They are not requesting blank forms - they are expecting us to help them print out the specific form they need with information from their company. Wal-Mart is using this method as well as many fast food chains. http://www.w2express.com/ <http://www.w2express.com/> http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080124124849AAxP9Np This Yahoo answers page (the question and first answer are the best) succinctly show how a Wal-Mart employee can access his or her W-2 online. Also http://www.rapidtax.org/id42.html has an interesting (albeit incomplete) list of other online W-2s. Because the complete W-2s are secured on specific vendor sites, it is crucial to know which employer, ID/user name, and password to access this information and obtain a printout for income taxes. This will only add to the frustration and confusion for inexperienced taxpayers. Michael Abramov, Austin Public Library
