How to Import W-2 Transactions

Saving and Completing the Import File

  1. Click on the Import Data button.
  2. Choose Import via Excel. 
  3. Click the W-2 Transactions type.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Click Excel Template and Instructions.
  6. Choose where to save the file.
  7. Name the file.
  8. Click Save.
  9. The import file will open automatically. Make changes to the import file to enter the applicable information.

Editing the Import File

Some guidelines to keep in mind while completing the W-2 import file:

  • Column headings in the import file cannot be changed.
  • Red column headings are required in order to successfully import data.
    • While some columns can be safely deleted without impacting the import, it is suggested that you simply hide unused columns to prevent import errors.
  • Sample Payer/Recipient data, codes, and dollar values in the template should be removed before importing.
  • Each row is equivalent to one transaction.
  • Recipient transactions must be in a row.
  • Payer information should be repeated on each row.
  • Only the first worksheet/tab in the Excel file will be imported.
  • Format all fields as Text.
  • For checkboxes, enter a value of True, 1, or X in the cell. To leave the box blank, enter a value of 0, False, or leave the cell blank.

Two fields required to import W-2 transactions are "Kind of Payer" and "Kind of Employer". Use the following codes when completing the import file:

Kind of Payer

Kind of Payer Value
941
944 
Agriculture 
Household 
Military 
Medicare Qualified Government Employee 
Railroad 

Kind of Employer

Kind of Employer Value
Federal Government
State/Local non 501c 
501c non-gvt 
State/Local 501c 
None of the above 

Importing the Completed File

  1. Click on the Import Data button.
  2. Choose Import via Excel.
  3. Choose the Import W-2 Transactions type.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Click the Browse For File button. 
  6. Locate the saved import file.
  7. Click Open.
  8. If there are errors on the import file, the errors will be displayed on the Audit Report screen. Go to the next section if errors are found when importing.

Fixing Errors on the Excel File

  1. On the Audit Report screen, click on the Export Error File button.
  2. Choose where to save the file.
  3. Name the file.
  4. Click Save. The file will open automatically.
  5. Refer to column A: "Error Description".
  6. Errors found on the import file will appear in the row the error was found in.
    • For example, if there is an error description in row 2, the error will be found in row 2.
  7. Review the file for any fields highlighted in yellow.
    • Fields in yellow contain errors.
  8. After making the applicable changes, save the file.
  9. Attempt the import again, this time with the errors file saved in step 4.

For more steps on how to correct errors on the import file, please see the Troubleshooting Common Import Errors article.

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