Exempt student employee, boxes 3 and 5 have wage in them, but should be zero

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
September 17, 2020
1 reply
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I am a student and I work for my school. As I work in the accounting office, I am able to run my W2 early so I can review deductions, etc (we use D365 Finance - Payroll module). I noticed I am seeing my wages entered in boxes 3 (SS Wages) and 5 (Medicare Wages) although I am exempt. I checked last year and those boxes were empty. Before I go to my IT dept about it, can someone confirm for me, as an exempt student, should my W2 boxes 3 and 5 be zero or show my wages?

Not A Product Question

Best answer by macuser_22

Maybe, but it doesn't really matter or effect your tax if nothing was withheld. The IRS does not use boxes 3-6 at all unless too much was withheld and the Social Security administration only credits your account with the box 4 & 6 amounts. Boxes 3 & 5 are only used if boxes 4 & 6 exceed the limits.

macuser_22

Employee

Boxes 3 & 5 are not the SS & medicare tax which would be in boxes 4 & 6. If boxes 4 & 6 are zero or blank then you are exempt and the W-2 is correct.

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**

Terry76546Author

Yes, boxes 4 and 6 are zero, my question is about boxes 3 and 5, the wages boxes. If I am exempt, should these be zero as well?

macuser_22Answer

Employee

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**