New Deadline to File W-2s and Certain 1099s
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is reminding employers of the new January 
31 filing deadline for Forms W-2.
New Filing Deadline
Employers are now required to file their copies of Form W-2 to the Social Security Administration (SSA) by January 31. The new January 31 filing deadline also applies to certain Forms 1099-MISC reporting non-employee compensation, such as payments to independent contractors.
In the past, employers typically had until the end of February, if filing on paper, or the end of March, if filing electronically, to submit their copies of these forms. According to the SSA, January 31st is the new filing deadline for both electronic and paper Forms W-2.
Note: The January 31 deadline for employers to furnish copies of Forms W-2 and 1099-MISC to employees and independent contractors also continues to apply.
Changes in Requesting an Extension
In addition, there are changes in requesting an extension to file the Form W-2. Only one 30-day extension to file Form W-2 is available and this extension is not automatic. If an extension is necessary, an IRS Form 8809, Application for Extension of Time To File Information Returns must be completed as soon as the employer knows an extension is necessary, but by January 31. Employers should carefully review the Form 8809 instructions for more information.
