Late W-2 filing.

[TaxmannEA]

We have a client who was going over old records and came across a red copy of his 2015 W-3 and W-2s. The envelope for mailing was clipped to the forms. He has received no correspondence about this. Should he mail this in to the SSA or let sleeping dogs lie? One of his employees is going to check his Social Security statement to see if the wages are listed. The 941s were all filed for that year and the employment taxes paid. I'm hoping that this is a duplicate copy. 

[Margaret CPA in OH]

It will be interesting to see the results of the employee's check.  Is it possible that the client printed out all copies to provide needed copies to employees and maybe state and local agencies but actually filed through BSA or other online service to SSA?  Was this client yours for 2015?  If so, did you assist with 941's and year end reconciliations?

[TaxmannEA]

Yes. The employees all received their W-2 and the 941s were filed for both Federal and state. Our office did the payroll for him. He was given the W-3 to sign and mail. I'm hopimg that this is somehow a duplicate that got lost in the pile of paper.

[Margaret CPA in OH]

Perhaps he signed and mailed his client copies instead of the original red forms.  One can hope.  It has happened.  Let us know the outcome of the employee's check.  One would think that there would be something from IRS if there was reported wages and nothing to match with since they match pretty much everything.