EFW2 format for local filings

Not to worry, kerryboersma. I've got the steps you'll need for creating the file you can upload to your state agency. 

The process is pretty easy. Here are the steps:

1. From the Employees menu, select Payroll Tax Forms & W-2s, and then create State W-2 E-file.
2. Click Continue twice, then select your state from the drop-down, and then select Get QuickBooks Data.
3. Select OK.
4. Choose the Add-Ins tab to locate the QuickBooks Payroll State W-2 drop-down. Then, select Start Interview.
5. Check the box I understand that I must review my data and answer the following questions. Then, select Next.
6. Note the file name and location. Select Next.
7. Answer the questions in the interview and review any auto-populated info. Then, click Next until you reach the End of Interview.
8. Choose the Create W-2 File option, then select OK.
9. Select Yes to save the Excel workbook for your records.

Afterward, go to Ohio's state website. From there, follow the instructions to upload the EFW2 file to complete the process. You can use this article to make sure compliance with state tax payroll regulations: Ohio Payroll Tax Compliance.

Please get back to me if you have any other W-2 concerns. I'm here to help.

my state of ND is not in the list to efile EFW2 :(

Does this mean I cannit efile my W2s

Hello there, NAILDR.

Not to worry, I'll make sure you can electronically file your W-2s via QuickBooks Desktop. Let me walk you through the steps:

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. Select Employees, then Payroll Tax Forms & W-2s, and then Process Payroll Forms.
3. In the File Forms section, select your state worksheet.
4. Review the Select Filing Period year and change it if you need to.
5. Select Ok.
6. Fill out the W-2 worksheet and select Check for errors to make sure everything is correct before e-filing.
7. When you’re ready, select E-file.
8. Enter your email address and contact phone number.
9. Select Submit.

The following steps should let you e-file your W-2s in no time!

You can check out these articles to learn more about state W-2s:

• Get answers to your W-2 questions.
• File your W-2 forms.
• File your state W-2s with Quickbooks Desktop Payroll Enhanced.

Please get back to me if you have any other W-2 concerns. I'm here to help.

since we filed electrically to ssa.  whe can we find the file to copy and send to our local muncipalities.

Hello, Terri.

I'm happy to provide guidance on submitting W-2 forms for local municipalities.

The forms you've electronically submitted to the SSA are for Federal tax filings. If you need to submit a copy for your state, you'll need to create a State W-2 E-file and manually upload it to your state agency website. Here are the steps:

1. From the Employees menu, select Payroll Tax Forms & W-2s, and then create State W-2 E-file.
2. Click Continue twice, then select your state from the drop-down, and then select Get QuickBooks Data.
3. Select OK.
4. Choose the Add-Ins tab to locate the QuickBooks Payroll State W-2 drop-down. Then, select Start Interview.
5. Check the box I understand that I must review my data and answer the following questions. Then, select Next.
6. Note the file name and location. Select Next.
7. Answer the questions in the interview and review any auto-populated info. Then, click Next until you reach the End of Interview.
8. Choose the Create W-2 File option, then select OK.
9. Select Yes to save the Excel workbook for your records.

Once you've completed these steps, go to Ohio's state website and follow the instructions to upload the EFW2 file to complete the process. You can use this article to ensure compliance with state tax payroll regulations: Access state agency websites for payroll.

If you want to get a copy of your W-2 forms that were filed to SSA, you can simply go to the File Forms sections and print the form from there. For complete guidance, please refer to this article: How to Print W-2 and W-3 forms.

Please let me know if you have any other W-2 concerns. I'm here to help. Have a good one.

I do not need state filing.  I need to know where the SSA -w2 file is located.  it is already in the format and my cities are in there.  If you look at other responses, they told quickbooks the same thing.  WE DO NOT NEED THE STATE.  WE NEED THE SSA.  IT IS ALREADY IN THE FORMAT US USERS NEED!!!!!

I'll help you secure a copy of your W-2 forms that were filed electronically to SSA, terri.

To get a copy of the file and print the form, please follow the steps below:

1. Update QuickBooks and the payroll tax table. 
2. From the Employees dropdown, click Payroll Tax Forms & W-2s, then Process Payroll Forms.
3. From the File Forms tab, scroll down and select Annual Form W-2/W-3 - Wage and Tax Statement/ Transmittal. Then, click Create Form.
4. Select all or individual employees to file.
5. Enter the year and hit OK.
6. Click all or individual employees to print.
7. Hit Review/Edit to review each W-2. Reviewed W-2s have a checkmark in the Reviewed column.
8. If you're done, select Submit Form and follow the steps to print the forms.

Moreover, I'll add this article to give details on tax forms, withholdings, unemployment, and other tax, e-file&pay information, general state and agency information, and employer registration depending on your state: Payroll Tax Compliance Links.

Comment below if you have further questions about your W-2 forms. I'll be here to help. 

I do not need copies for the form.  I need the file itself.  I think it is in quickbooks/company file name/taxforms, but I am not sure. Just trying to see where quickbooks keeps this file.  I can use this this file to file my local taxes with.  It has to be EFW2 format to file with the IRS and SSA

Go to the employee center, click on payroll tab,then on File forms tab and on the bottom click on e-file state w-2 and that should work for your local filings as well.  You may have to tweak a few columns but it should work for you.

For 2023, in PA, the state file does not work for the state or local - as others have asked - where is the SSA file located?  I understand there are major issues with Enterprise 2024 and this maybe part of the problem.

the cities are not on the the state form, like everyone on this feed has stated.  We see the SSA File.  How hard is it to understand the state is not going to work for us.

Did you find the format?  I am looking too!

Thank you for joining the thread, @Julie191.

Allow me to chime in and provide information about the EFW2 format in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT).

To begin with, QB payroll services only support federal and state tax forms, and the local tax forms are not supported by QuickBooks. As a workaround, you can create a file outside QuickBooks or in your local tax agency. You can ask and check their website on where you can file or generate the form. Also, I suggest checking the tax amounts through report Excel type or Payroll Detail then customizing it to show the local tax.

For future reference, you can check this article to guide you on how to access your state agency websites: Payroll Tax Compliance.

I'll always be here, ready to back you up if you have any further questions about W-2 or other QBDT-related concerns. Please let us know any time in the thread. Keep safe!

This give the state information & will work for the state.  However it is rejected by the cities because it does not contain the local withholding.

LOCAL CITY AMOUNTS ARE NOT IN THE STATE FILING.  ONLY STATE IS IN THERE!!!!!!!  PLEASE STOP TELLING US TO DO A STATE FILING.  THE INFORMATION IS NOT THERE.  IF WE NEED TO ADD IT TELL US HOW TO ADD LOCAL AMOUNTS IN THE STATE FILING EXCEL FILE

Is there a report that would show the information that is needed for the localities?  I am trying to find one that I can copy & paste together with the state file.

Hello there, @ambergvwp.

I'll help you run a report to show local tax liabilities in QuickBooks Online.

You can run the Payroll Tax Liability report. It will show your local taxes liabilities.

Here's how:

1. Go to Reports, then Employees & Payroll.
2. Select the report you want to view.
3. If applicable, you may Customize Report.

I'm also adding this article for the list of Payroll reports you can run in QuickBooks Desktop: Run payroll reports.

For future reference, you can read this article to help you memorize or save the customization of your report: Create, access and modify memorized reports.

Let me know if you have questions about running payroll reports in QuickBooks Online. I'm always here to help. Have a great day.

I have over 50 local municipalities to add.  Is there an easier way than manunally adding each city.

no, they are no help.  the state does not have local information in it.  it only has the state.  

Hey there, @terrimyers.

Thanks for taking the time to follow along with the thread and sharing your concerns. 

You can import the municipalities as Vendors at once in QuickBooks Desktop. I'm including some steps to walk you through this process below. 

QuickBooks opens a formatted Excel spreadsheet where you can enter your information. When you save and close the file, you can review results and view your data in QuickBooks. To import Vendors:

1. Go to the File menu, select Utilities then Import and then Excel Files.
2. If you get the Add/Edit Multiple List Entries window, click No.
3. Follow the wizard in importing files.
   1. Select the type of data.
   2. QuickBooks opens a formatted excel spreadsheet. Once you have entered your information, saved the file and closed it, you will be given the option to Add My Data Now.
   3. Review results and view Data in QuickBooks.
   4. Select Close when done.

For additional ways to import, check out Import and export data in QuickBooks Desktop. 

That should do the trick. Please let me know if there is anything else I can assist you with. Take care! 

when I am doing the statew2 and adding local city tax to it.  I get an error.  How do we add the city tax information into the state file.

I appreciate your getting back to us, terrimyers.

I also understand the importance of adding the city tax information to your state file. However, this isn't supported in QuickBooks which is why you're getting an error.

As mentioned in the previous reply, you may consider creating a file outside the system or in your local tax agency. You can inquire or visit their website to find out where to file or generate the form.

You can post a comment below if you need more managing city tax or any other issues. I'll be here to lend a hand always.