How should the Year-to-Date figures on the Wage and Tax Register relate to Form W-2?

The Year-to-Date figures on the Wage and Tax Register should exactly balance with the amounts reported on Form W-2 because Form W-2 is a summary of an employee's earnings and withholdings throughout the calendar year. This form is required to be distributed to employees by the end of January following the calendar year and reflects the total wages, tips, and other compensation the employee received during that year, as well as the total taxes withheld.

Having the Year-to-Date figures match Form W-2 ensures accuracy in reporting to both the employees and the IRS. Any discrepancies could lead to issues with tax filings or employee understanding of their earnings and withholdings. Correctly aligning these figures confirms that payroll processing has been performed accurately throughout the year.

Ensuring that Year-to-Date figures and Form W-2 amounts are consistent is crucial for compliance and for providing employees with reliable tax documentation.