Form W-2 must be distributed to employees no later than which date?

Form W-2 must be distributed to employees no later than January 31st. This date is significant because it allows employees to receive their wage and tax information in a timely manner for completing their annual tax returns. The IRS establishes this deadline to ensure that employees have adequate time to review their documents and file their taxes accurately.

Timely distribution is critical for compliance, as failure to send out W-2 forms by this deadline can result in penalties for employers. Ensuring that employees receive their W-2s by January 31st also aligns with the IRS's requirements for employers to file the W-2 forms with the Social Security Administration by the same date, promoting overall efficiency in tax processing for both individuals and government agencies.