Payroll - FAQ for Tax Filling Forms

Frequently Asked Questions for Tax Filling Forms
 

1. I have not receive my W-2 form. What should I do?

Please call the W-2 information line on extension 3580 or e-mail to

W-2@american.edu. We will verify mailing address and send you a copy.

Please have your full name, AU ID number (Colleague ID number) or

social security number ready.

2. I lost my W-2. How can I get a duplicated copy?

A copy is available on HR/Payroll Connection. After logging into the web portal,

please click “Employment”, and then click “HR/Payroll Connection”. Please follow

the printing instructions. If you experience problems with printing the form, it 

may be a result of the web browser you are using. Please try a new web browser. 

You can contact the Payroll office if you continue to have problems.

3. I do not know the definition of each box on my W-2. Can you help me?

When you review your on-line W-2, please click each box title. A brief

description will appear in the dialogue box.

4. My Social Security and Medicare wages are different from my

Federal and State taxable wages. Why?

There are two possible answers. 1) If you are a full-time student and worked
part-time, you do not pay Social Security and Medicare taxes. 2) If you
are a full-time faculty or staff and chose a pre-tax retirement plan, the pre-tax

retirement is deducted from your taxable income, but is not deductible from your

Social Security and Medicare wages.

5. I think totals/amounts on my W-2 are wrong. How do I check?

Please contact the Payroll office. We will complete an inquiry form and do necessary 

research for you. A payroll specialist will get back to you with answers.

6. What is the Social Security wage limit for Calendar Year 2008?

2008 Social Security limit is $102,000.

7. I did not work at American University. Why did I get a W-2?

If you received a graduate financial aid award that has a learning/work requirement,

the learning/work component is taxable income and reported

on your W-2.

8. I received graduate tuition remission. Am I supposed to receive a W-2? 
  

If your graduate tuition remission award did not have a learning/work

component as a service requirement, it is not taxable, Therefore, no W-2

form was issued.

9. What is the amount in Box 10 and Box 12 of my W-2?

Box 10 is your dependent care flexible spending account money withheld.

American University reports three types of income in Box 12. These amounts

are as follows: Code E is your pre-tax retirement plan amount. Code P is

moving expense reimbursements paid directly to you. Note: This amount is not

reported in box 1. Code G is your 457 Deferred Compensation Plan deduction

amounts.

10. I had a tuition remission benefit as a staff member; however, I do not seem

to see it reported on my W-2. Can you help me?

Based on IRS guidelines, tuition remission amount is not reported

separately on your W-2. The taxable amount is included in your FICA,

federal and state taxable income.

11. I am an international student and received a graduate financial aid award.
14% tax was deducted from my paycheck for the amount over and above
my work component. Where do I see the tax amount?

The taxable portion of your work/learning component and tax amount withheld is 

reported on your W-2. The remaining scholarship fund amount that has no

work/learning component will be reported on a Form 1042-S along with the 14%

tax that was withheld. According to IRS rules, we are required to send Form 1042-S

to the individuals by March 15th although we make every effort to provide this

form to you earlier. Please make sure that you use both Form W-2 and Form 1042-S

for your U.S. tax return.     
 

12. I am an international student and received a foreign tax treaty benefit.

Would my W-2 or 1042-S be different from my friends?

Yes. Each individual may have a different situation. Please call the Foreign National

Specialist in the Payroll Office if you have further questions.