The W-2 form is a crucial document for filing taxes in the USA. It is used for reporting an employee's wages and taxes withheld. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers two versions of the W-2 template: printable and fillable.
How to Obtain a Printable PDF?
Printable versions of the W-2 form are available from the IRS website. It should be printed on blank white paper and filled by hand. One of the main advantages of this option is that it is much simpler compared to the fillable version. However, there is a risk of making mistakes when writing a form by hand.
What Is a Fillable Template?
Fillable versions of the W-2 form are also available on the IRS website. This form can be filled out on a computer. It is more time-consuming than the printable version, but it eliminates the risk of making mistakes.
Pros & Cons
In some cases, it is better to file the form online. For example, if an employee has several sources of income, the document will list all of them. This is a very time-consuming process if the copy is filled in by hand. It is much easier to fill out the form on a computer.
Another example is if a person wants to file taxes with a state or local government. The filing process may require additional information that is not available on the printable version of the W-2 form. In this case, the fillable form is the best option.
Summary
In conclusion, the printable and fillable versions of the W-2 template offer different advantages and disadvantages. When filing taxes, it is important to consider the specific situation and choose the version that best suits the individual's needs.
