Text File w2 on Desktop

I can help you create a W2 for Missouri State in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) Payroll, @DB Coop. 

You can choose either to create your W2s or file them electronically with QBDT Payroll. It depends on your state. In your case, we can manually create a W2 file you'll send to the state. Here's how:

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

For more information, see this link: File your state W-2s with Quickbooks Desktop Payroll Enhanced. 

I've also added this link if you need to set up a Federal e-file and e-pay in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Enhanced.

Let me know in the comments below if you have other concerns about W-2s. I'll be here if you need me. 

Missouri has a specific file requirement.  The Missouri website states that EXCEL and PDF files generated from QuickBooks are not acceptable formats and cannot be uploaded.  A "W2REPORT" text file must be created and QuickBooks support must be contacted for instructions.  The instructions posted to the original question leads to an EXCEL file which cannot be uploaded.

RE:  A "W2REPORT" text file must be created and QuickBooks support must be contacted for instructions. The instructions posted to the original question leads to an EXCEL file which cannot be uploaded.

The instructions in @Nicole_N 's answer will create a standard EFW2 file, a "W2REPORT" file, from the Excel worksheet you'll see, which you can use to review the data about to be added to the file.

Were you able to figure this out? I contacted support twice yesterday- the first representative put me on hold, disconnected our screen share then hung up.  The second tried to have me name the excel file "W2REPORT", which is obviously not helpful.  I'm about ready to give up and file by mail to MO since I've wasted a day trying to figure this out.  It would be entirely beneficial if they just posted how to do this or shared it with their customer support team.

Has anyone figured this out yet? We are also needing a txt file for MO.  I tried customer service twice yesterday.  The first rep put me on hold then hung up after disconnecting our screen share.  The second just wanted me to save the excel file as "W2REPORT" which obviously is not helpful.  I attempted to save the excel file as TXT but I can't imagine the result I got will be accepted by MoDOR.

It would be great if QB could post how to do this or at least inform their customer service department since I can't imagine MO is the only one who has this requirement AND MoDOR specifically says in their filing instructions to call support in order to create this file.

I ran the summary report and saved it as the .txt. file.

The MO website accepted it, so I guess I did okay. 

Under the Employees: Payroll Tax Forms and W2s:Tax Forms worksheet in Excel.

Choose W2 summary, save as .txt.  Voila!

I hope this helps.  I'm not the best at explaining things without visuals.

I ran the summary report and saved it as the .txt. file.

The MO website accepted it, so I guess I did okay. 

Under the Employees: Payroll Tax Forms and W2s:Tax Forms worksheet in Excel.

Choose W2 summary, save as .txt.  Voila!

I hope this helps.  I'm not the best at explaining things without visuals.

It's sad that I had to figure it out instead of getting actual support from QB.

I'm sorry, I did not.  I mailed the Missouri state copies.

I tried that, but did not like the format the txt file created.  I didn't think the state would accept that unless they have some kind of program that pulls all that data into something more user friendly.  We are a small company so I'll just mail the paper copies in this year instead of wasting more time trying to figure this out.  

I'm doing the same thing, not worth the frustration and hassle trying to figure it all out.

The second just wanted me to save the excel file as "W2REPORT" which obviously is not helpful.

To create the required W-2 file using the State W-2 report/file feature, you will first pull data from QuickBooks (a process that starts automatically when you launch the feature), which creates a worksheet like the one below, and you'll start an interview process that creates the required file for the state from that worksheet.

Once you've reviewed the data, then start the process to create an EFW2 file from the worksheet:

Pick Start Interview from the QuickBooks Payroll State W-2 menu that appears on the Add-ins tab:

The feature behaves differently for different states. When I tried it for MO, it came up with a very specific file name, which I expect is because that is what MO wants.

It's that .txt file that should then be submitted to the state.  It is a W2REPORT file, also known as an EFW2 file.

I have quickbooks online and am curios what file I should print to mail in my w-2's? This is also for Missouri.  I cannot figure out the .txt file requirement.  I will mail as we only have a few employees so i do not need to file electronically.  

Thanks for following the thread, @lkg761.

I hope you're enjoying the day so far. 

You can follow the guided steps I'm including below to print and mail the W2s. 

1. Select Taxes, then Payroll tax.
2. Click on Filings.
3. Hit Resources, then W-2s.
4. Review the list of employees who opted for a printed copy.
   • W-2s won’t print for employees that selected paperless. They can print their copy from QuickBooks Workforce if needed.
5. If your automated taxes and forms setting is Off: review your Form W-2 print setting. Select Change setting to change the paper type if needed.
6. Tap on View or Manage on the copy you need:
   • W-3 Summary Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements
   • W-2, Copies B, C & 2 (employee)
   • W-2, Copies A & D (employer)
7. Click on View and print.
8. Select the Print icon on the Adobe Reader toolbar, then hit Print.

Please keep in mind that you can buy W-2 paper if you’re printing from QuickBooks and mailing official copies to your employees. We recommend ordering W-2 kits (W-2s and envelopes) through us to make sure the W-2s print correctly. 

1. Go to QuickBooks Checks & Supplies
2. Select Tax Products.
3. Select Blank W-2 kits.
4. Follow the on-screen steps to complete your order.
   • If you use QuickBooks Online Payroll, you can get 3 or 4-part perforated paper.

For additional information about this process, check out Print your W2 and W3 forms. 

Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Take care and have a wonderful day ahead! 

When saving the file to a location you'll be able to find later when uploading to Missouri, just be sure to type .txt at the end of the file name.  Took me several hours to figure that out but was finally able to upload to MO after saving with that extension.

I just finished mine.  Took me awhile to figure it out, but finally just added .txt to the end of the file name as I exported from QB.  Missouri finally accepted that and allowed me to upload.  Just putting this out there for the next person!

Wanting to chime in here because I fought with this for 4 days trying to scramble to get this to upload. I dont want anyone else to go through this lol..

GOAL: Submit STATE W2 .TXT FILE ONLINE

1. Make sure your QB is updated if your on Desktop go to Help>Update all on QBDT

2. Payroll center > File Forms at the top > then at the bottom E-File State w-2

3.It should export a file to excel and read the prompts itll advise you to start a interview on "add-ons" after you've exported everything over and it should prompt you to save your w2report.txt to upload to the state.