Why do my w-2s still say draft copy?

Preparing and filing employee forms right on time is an essential need to do, Leah. Allow me to share information about W2s, so you can manage your payroll tasks efficiently.

If you're set up to have QuickBooks automatically pay your taxes and file your forms, there's nothing you need to do. Intuit files the forms for you and submits them before the set deadline. All copies are available to view or print approximately 35 days after the end of the quarter. 

That said, QuickBooks will then automatically file your W2s on your payroll filing screen.

In addition to this, you can electronically file on your own to submit these forms inside the online program. To help you do this:

1.  Sign in to your QuickBooks Online account.
2. Go to Taxes and click Payroll Tax. Then, select Filings.
3. From W-2 Copies A & D (employer), click File.
4. Select Annual Forms, then W-2 Copies A & D (employer). Then, Continue.
5. If prompted, tell us whether or not one or more employees were active participants in a retirement plan during the tax year.
6. On the Employer Copies: Form W-2 page, select View to open Acrobat Reader.
7. Review and print Copy D (Employer's copy) for your records.
8. Click Submit to authorize us to file Copy A of Form W-2 electronically for you.

Once the form is processed and complete, we'll let you know via email. For more insights, please check this article: File your W2 and W3 forms.

Furthermore, you can also invite your employees to use QuickBooks Workforce to view their W2s online. This way, they can check and print their own copies for the current year.

This information may help you manage and file employee forms on time. If there's anything else you need further assistance with, just let me know in the comments below. I'll be available in this thread to help you. Keep safe and have a good one!

This is a canned answer that does not address my question. 

Under Payroll Tax Center Filings, my only option is to preview the W-2s. I cannot archive them or file them. The message above the Action Needed section says my W-2s are being queued up, as I previously stated. When I preview the W-2s, they are stamped with "Draft copy - Do Not File."

I want to know why it is taking so long for them to be ready, and when they will be ready.

Please don't reply with canned answers.

Theres a box at the bottom of the page that says something in regards to w2s on the 15th. Maybe that will help since they are not.

I appreciate you for coming back for adding clarification about your concern regarding W-2s. I can also see how vital it is to file them through QuickBooks as quickly as possible. Let me provide additional details on the reason why there's a watermark appears on your end. 

Usually, the "Draft copy - Do Not File." that shows on your end means that the Automate taxes and forms turned option is turned on. In this case, QuickBooks will automatically pay and file your state and payroll taxes (including year-end flings). This could be the reason you're unable to archive and file W-2s.  

Furthermore, W-2 forms start to become available in your product on January 15, 2024. This form will be mailed to your employees at the addresses indicated in the employee profile by January 31. You can refer to this article to see further details: Year-end checklist for QuickBooks Online Payroll.

In case you need steps on how to run several payroll reports in QBO that help you view employee info, wages, taxes, and deductions, you can read this article: Run payroll reports.

Please don't hesitate to hit that Reply button if you have additional questions about managing W-2s. I'm always here to help you further, Leah. Have a great day ahead.