Found code T in W-2 box 12 but it's an error - how to fix?

I'm helping my father file his taxes this year since he had some health issues, and I noticed something weird on his W-2. In box 12, there's a code T listed, which I looked up and found out is for adoption benefits. The thing is, my dad is 68 years old and definitely didn't adopt any children last year or ever! There's even a dollar amount next to it (around $4,300). I'm not sure if I can just ignore this error when filing his return or if we need to contact his employer for a corrected W-2. Has anyone dealt with something like this before? I don't want to delay filing his taxes since he's expecting a refund, but I also don't want to submit something with an obvious mistake. Should I cross it out? Get a new W-2? Or just file it as is and let the IRS sort it out?

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19 comments

Zane Gray

•8M

You definitely shouldn't ignore this error or try to erase/cross it out yourself. The W-2 information is reported to the IRS exactly as it appears, so any mismatch between what you file and what the employer reported will cause problems. Contact your father's employer (specifically their payroll department) right away and explain the error. They'll need to issue a corrected W-2 (often called a W-2c) that removes the erroneous Code T amount. This is actually a pretty significant error since adoption benefits have special tax treatment, and the IRS systems will be expecting to see this reflected elsewhere on the return. While waiting for the corrected form, you can start preparing the rest of the return, but don't file until you have the W-2c in hand. If the employer is slow to respond, and you're approaching the filing deadline, you can file for an extension using Form 4868 which gives you until October to file without penalty.

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Zane Gray

•8M

It varies quite a bit depending on the employer. Small businesses with external payroll services might take 2-3 weeks since they need to work through their provider. Larger companies with in-house payroll departments can sometimes turn these around in just a few days. If your mother really needs her refund quickly, call the employer daily until they address it. Be polite but persistent, explaining the financial hardship the delay is causing. Sometimes that can help expedite the process.

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Alejandro Castro

•8M

I had a similar situation last year with a code in box 12 that wasn't right. I used taxr.ai to check if I could just ignore it and they analyzed my W-2 and told me exactly what to do. Their system scanned my form, identified the error, and gave me step-by-step instructions for fixing it. I uploaded a picture of my W-2 to https://taxr.ai and their AI analyzed the whole thing in minutes. They even drafted an email template I could send to my HR department requesting the correction.

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Alejandro Castro

•8M

Yes, it works with pretty much all tax documents - W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, and others. I've used it to check several different forms and it catches errors that I would have missed completely. The accuracy has been solid in my experience. It references specific IRS guidelines and tax code when making recommendations. The analysis includes citations so you can verify the information yourself if you want. Plus, it doesn't actually file anything for you - it just helps identify issues and explains how to address them correctly.

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Lia Quinn

•8M

I know everyone's saying contact the employer, but honestly that can take forever. My brother had to get a corrected W-2 last year and his employer took 2 months! If you need to talk to the IRS about this or other tax issues, don't waste days trying to get through their regular phone lines. I used https://claimyr.com and got a callback from the IRS in about 15 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - they basically hold your place in line and call you when an agent is available. Helped me resolve a similar issue when I had conflicting information on my tax documents.

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Lia Quinn

•8M

It's completely legitimate and works with the regular IRS phone system. The service doesn't do anything that breaks rules - it just automates the hold process so you don't have to stay on the line yourself. No, you don't share any personal tax information with Claimyr. You just tell them which IRS department you need to reach, and they navigate the phone tree and wait on hold for you. When they reach a real person, they connect the call to your phone. The IRS agent doesn't even know you used a service - they just think you've been on hold the whole time.

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Serene Snow

•8M

That's exactly what I was thinking! It's a pretty common error in my experience. W-2 forms have so many codes and boxes that sometimes the person inputting the data just clicks the wrong option in their payroll software. If it is retirement contributions, make sure the corrected W-2 shows the proper code because it affects how that money is treated for tax purposes. Also, when you contact HR, have your dad's last paystub of the year handy - you can verify that the retirement contribution total for the year matches that $4,300 amount.

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Zane Gray

•8M

It could definitely cause problems down the road. The IRS might not reject it immediately, but their systems will flag the discrepancy eventually. Code T adoption benefits receive special tax treatment, so the IRS computer will be expecting to see corresponding information elsewhere on the return. At minimum, you could get a notice asking for explanation, but worst case it could trigger an audit or delay any refund. Your friend might have had a different type of error that didn't impact the tax calculation as significantly. It's really not worth the risk when getting a corrected W-2 is the proper solution.

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Aisha Khan

•3M

I work in payroll and see this type of error more often than you'd think! Code T for adoption benefits is definitely something that stands out on a 68-year-old's W-2. The good news is that most employers are pretty responsive to these kinds of obvious mistakes once you point them out. When you contact HR/payroll, be specific about what you're seeing - mention the exact code (T), the amount ($4,300), and that it doesn't apply to your father's situation. Ask them to check what the correct code should be for that amount. As others mentioned, it's likely a retirement contribution that got miscoded. One tip: if you're having trouble reaching the right person at his company, try calling first thing in the morning or right after lunch. Payroll departments are usually swamped at certain times but more available during those windows. Also, get the name and direct contact info of whoever helps you in case you need to follow up. Don't file without the corrected W-2 - trust me, the headaches from IRS notices later aren't worth trying to save a few weeks now.

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