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Electronic W-2 and 1099 Filing Guidelines

Electronic W-2 and 1099 Overview

Web Upload is the Virginia Department of Taxation's free online filing system, which currently accepts your Form  W-2 and Form 1099 data files electronically. Multiple types of W-2 files are accepted. You can upload your file(s) online and receive immediate validation/feedback on your data.

This web page will explain these items to you:

  • Annual withholding filing requirements.
  • How to use Web Upload to file your W-2 and 1099 data.
  • Which type of file to use.
  • How to format each type of file.

Filing Reminders and Changes

  • Employers must file their W-2 statements electronically via Web Upload.
  • PDF versions or files with images of any W-2/1099 data are not accepted.
  • Magnetic Media (CDs/Diskettes) of any W-2/1099 data are not accepted.

Annual Withholding Reporting Requirements

Every employer must file a Form VA-6, Annual or Final Summary of Virginia Income Tax Withheld, to the Tax Department as well as all federal income (wage) statements from the W-2 series or the 1099 series that reflect Virginia income tax withheld.

  • Form VA-6 is due on February 28, and must be filed electronically.
  • If you close your withholding account before the end of the year, you must file Form VA-6 within 30 days of the last month in which you paid wages.
  • The federal forms usually required are Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099-R.
  • Currently, Web Upload accepts Form W-2, Form 1099-R and Form 1099-MISC.

You can file your Form VA-6 electronically with one of our three online systems: eForms, Business iFile or Web Upload.  eForms will allow you to electronically submit your Form W-2s this Fall.

Web Upload - Filing W-2s and 1099s Online

Web Upload is a file-based system. This means the W-2 and the 1099 data you submit must be on a file that matches the formats and layouts described later on this web page.

New users must first complete the simple registration for the Web Upload system. You will receive an email to confirm your registration; you must click on the link in the email to activate your Web Upload account.

Once you log in – it is an easy three-step process to file your W-2 and 1099 information:

  1. Choose and Create your file layout
  2. Upload your file
  3. Submit your uploaded file

NOTE:  You also have the option of using the shortcut section displayed after logging into Web Upload. Look for the "Sending W-2s or 1099s to TAX?" section visible on your Web Upload homepage after you log into the system.

Details for using the Web Upload system can be found on the information page and Guide. This FAQs page contains FAQs that include information about sending W-2 and 1099 data online.

If you have questions about correcting or amending W-2 or 1099 data, please email the Web Upload Unit at webupload@tax.virginia.gov so they may contact you. Please provide your name and phone number(s). DO NOT include account information in your email.

Naming Web Upload Files

It is not required, but it is highly recommended to name your W-2 files and 1099 files as listed below. Including the tax year within the file name may help easily identify your data.

The name of your file will also appear in your Web Upload confirmation emails. If you plan to submit multiple files in the same day, it may help if you make the files names unique enough to track them later.

  • For the W-2 files, use “W2 REPORT”
  • For the 1099-R files, use “1099R REPORT”
  • For the 1099-MISC files, use "1099MISC REPORT"

Compress/Zip Files

It is not required, but you may compress/zip the file(s) you Submit through Web Upload.

If you do this, you must mark the “Compressed (Zipped)” check box when you Upload your file. Otherwise, an error message will appear and you will need to attempt the upload again with the box checked. 

File Validations and Error Messages

Web Upload will validate and provide immediate feedback when you Upload your file. One of two scenarios will occur: validation totals or error messages.

  1. If there are no errors – validation totals will display summarizing the number of statements and amount of Virginia withholding in your file. This means your file is formatted properly and contains the required information.

    You must verify that the totals displayed match your records and then Submit your file.
     
  2. If there are errors – message(s) will display with instructions and line numbers indicating the specific records in your file that contain the error(s). This means your file has been rejected.

    You must correct the errors, Upload again, confirm the totals match your records and then Submit your file.
  • Validation errors include: field required, field cannot be blank, incorrect length, invalid information (year, amount, type, etc.) and incorrect formatting.
  • If the record containing Employer Information (main W-2 record) or Payer Information (the main 1099 record) has an error, Web Upload will NOT review the associated Employee or Payee records until that error is corrected. The error message will advise this too.

Confirmation of the Submitted File

After you Submit your file, you will receive a Confirmation Email once Web Upload processes your file. It will be sent to the email address indicated on the Profile created during your Web Upload registration. Ensure that you have the correct email address on your Profile.

For example – if you Submit a W-2 file and a VA-6 file, you will receive a separate Confirmation Email for each file submitted. (There can only be one form type in each file.) The Confirmation Email will reference what type of data was sent in the file.

Types of W-2 and 1099 Files

As explained, your W-2 data and your 1099 data must be in a file to be submitted electronically through the Web Upload system.

The most common file type used is a text file. This is the same type of file used to send your data to the federal level. This is also the most common file type prepared by companies and software packages. Web Upload accepts text files for both the W-2 data and the 1099 data. The other file type accepted (and only for W-2 data) is an Excel spreadsheet file set up by the Tax Department.

W-2 Text Files

W-2 data may be sent as a text file through Web Upload. The Tax Department bases their accepted W-2 text file layout on the Social Security Administration (SSA) specifications listed below. Review our W-2 Text layout by clicking here.

  • The Social Security Administration (SSA) Specification for Filing Forms W-2 Electronically is commonly known as EFW2.
  • You can request a copy of the EFW2 requirements by accessing the SSA website or by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-6270.

W-2 Excel Files

Web Upload has another option for customers who are unable to submit their W-2s in a text file according to the EFW2 format set by the SSA. This substitute version of W-2 data is accepted in a specially formatted Excel spreadsheet file and it is open for anyone to use if their computer supports Excel-based spreadsheets.

  • This file type and layout apply only to W-2 data accepted by the Virginia Department of Taxation.
  • Review our W-2 Excel layout by clicking here.

1099 Files

1099 data can only be sent as a text file through Web Upload. The Tax Department bases their accepted 1099 file layouts on the IRS specifications listed below. Review our 1099 Layouts by clicking here.

  • The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Specifications for Filing Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498, 8935 and W-2G Electronically is commonly known as Publication 1220.
  • You can request a copy of the Publication 1220 by accessing the IRS website or by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-3676.

Text Files and Record Delimiters

Web Upload accepts Text Files WITH or WITHOUT record delimiters. (This does not apply to Excel W-2s.)

If you use record delimiters (a sequential file), a record delimiter must follow each record in the file except for the last record. The record delimiter must consist of two characters: a carriage return and a line-feed (CR/LF).

Line-feed is ASCII character 10 (0A HEX) and carriage-return is ASCII character 13 (0D HEX). Windows programs, like Notepad, automatically insert carriage-return line-feeds when you press the Enter key at the end of the line. If using UNIX, manually insert the proper characters as UNIX does not automatically insert Carriage Return characters.

W-2 Text Files: Each record is 512 characters. The carriage return and the line-feed characters must be placed in positions 513 and 514, respectively.

1099 Text Files: Each record is 750 characters. The carriage return and the line-feed characters must be placed in positions 751 and 752, respectively.

DO NOT:

  • place a record delimiter before the first record,
  • place more than one record delimiter (i.e. more than one carriage return / line-feed combination) following a record, OR
  • place record delimiters after a field within a record

W-2 Text Files

You are required to file Form W-2 with the Tax Department if the forms show Virginia wages and Virginia income tax withheld.

Web Upload supports W-2 data that is formatted in a text file based on the EFW2 format, which is maintained by the SSA. There must be a row that contains information just for the Employer (RE) and one (or many) row(s) that contains information for the Employees (RS).

Other records specified in the EFW2 format may be included in your text file, but those records will not be used or validated. A copy of the EFW2 requirements can be accessed at the SSA website.

The SSA does not require the “RS” (Employee State) record, but the Virginia Tax Department does.

  • If you created an “RS” record for your federal submission, the Tax Department will accept this.
  • If not, you must create an “RS” record for each employee reported.

NOTE: The state code for Virginia (51) MUST be on each “RS” record to indicate Virginia income tax withheld.

Each W-2 data record MUST be 512 bytes. This is the same format that is submitted to the SSA. The Employer Record begins with "RE” followed by the tax year.

W-2 Excel Files

Customers who want to send the substitute W-2 Excel file, as specified and required by the Tax Department, must follow the layout and format described below.

As with any W-2 file, there is one row that contains the information for just the Employer and one (or many) row(s) that contains information for the Employee(s).

  • W-2 Layout (Excel format)
    • Employer Record
      • Tax Year, Employer FEIN and Employer Name
    • Employee Record
      • Employee SSN, Employee First Name, Employee Last Name, Address, City, State (abbreviation), Zip Code, Virginia Wages and Virginia Withholding
        NOTE: If City, State or Zip Code are unknown for the Employee, leave the field blank.

Only records containing Virginia wages and withholding may be included in the Excel file. All data in the W-2 Excel file is assumed to be for Virginia wages and withholding.

To save time and ensure correct formatting while creating your substitute W-2 file, you may access and save a copy of our W-2 Excel sample when you log into Web Upload. It is located in the "Sending W-2s or 1099s to TAX?" section of your Web Upload homepage.

  • Only the Tax Year, Employer FEIN and Employer Name should be completed for the Employer information. Do NOT provide Employer Address information in this row or it will cause errors in your file.
  • Do NOT submit 1099 data in a W-2 Excel file. Your 1099 data will instead be treated as W-2 information because of the Excel layout.

1099 Files

You are only required to file Form 1099 series with the Tax Department if the forms show Virginia income tax withheld. Web Upload supports Form 1099-R and Form 1099-MISC.

Web Upload only supports 1099 data that is formatted in a text file based on Publication 1220, which is maintained by the IRS. Form 1099-R data and Form 1099-MISC data MUST be submitted in separate text files.

This section will provide details for the:

  • 1099-R File Layout
  • 1099-MISC File Layout
  • 1099 Combined Federal / State Filing Program

Forms 1099 Layouts and Required Records

The following data records are required for 1099-R data and 1099-MISC data. Other records specified in Publication 1220 may be included in your text file, but those records will not be used or validated. A copy of the Publication 1220 can be accessed at the IRS website.

NOTE: The state code for Virginia (51) MUST be on each 1099 Payee B record (positions 747-748) to indicate Virginia income tax withheld.

1099-R Files

Each 1099-R data record MUST be 750 bytes. This is the same format that is submitted to the IRS. The Payer Record begins with "A" followed by the tax year.

1099-MISC Files

Each 1099-MISC data record MUST be 750 bytes. This is the same format that is submitted to the IRS. The Payer Record begins with "A" followed by the tax year.

Forms 1099 Combined Federal / State Filing Program

If you participate in the Combined Federal / State Filing Program (CF/SF) for Form 1099-R and/or Form

1099-MISC, you do not need to file the forms/data with the Virginia Tax Department. This program does NOT include Form W-2; you must still submit W-2 information separately.

  • By February 15 of each year, you must notify the Tax Department in writing of your intent to participate in the program. This must be done each year you participate.
  • See the federal Publication 1220 for information on how to participate. Then mail your intent to participate to: Virginia Department of Taxation, 1099 Combined Fed/State Processing, Post Office 1278, Richmond, Virginia 23218-1278.
  • NOTE: You must advise the Tax Department each year of your intent to participate.

Electronic Waiver Information

The Tax Commissioner has the authority to waive the requirement to file electronically should this cause undue hardship for the employer.

To request a waiver, you must submit your request in writing, providing the business name, Virginia Tax Account number, contact person, phone number, email address (optional), mailing address, the reason that this requirement creates an unreasonable burden on the employer, and the projected date as to when the employer will be able to file electronically.

Fax the request to (804) 367-3015 or mail to: Virginia Department of Taxation Hardship Waiver Request, PO Box 27423, Richmond, VA 23261-7423.

Need Web Upload Information?

If additional information or assistance is needed, please send an email to webupload@tax.virginia.gov.

 

 

Last Updated 5/15/2013 15:0

 

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