Using the last paystub that you were issued during the year:
BOX 1: Wages, tips, other compensation
1. Earnings Section
- Begin with the amount shown as the TOTAL of all Year To Date (YTD) Earnings.
- Subtract the YTD Amount for any earnings listed as "Nontaxable" (Nontaxable Tuition, etc.).
2. Before-Tax Deductions
- Subtract the Total Year to Date (YTD) Deductions from the amount calculated in section 1 above.
3. Employer Paid Benefits & Other
If your annual salary is greater than $50,000:
- Add the Year to Date taxable amount shown as Basic Group Term Life to the amount you calculated in Sections 1 & 2 above.
The net calculation should be the amount shown in Box 1 of your W-2.
BOX 2: Federal income tax withheld
This is the Year to Date (YTD) Amount for Federal Withholding shown in the "Taxes" section of your final yearly paystub.
BOX 3: Social Security wages
Box 1 amount plus Year to Date (YTD) 403(b) and 457(b) Before-Tax Deductions. The 2021 maximum is $142,800 for this box.
BOX 4: Social Security tax withheld
This is the Year to Date (YTD) Amount for "Social Security" shown in the "Taxes" section of your final yearly paystub. This amount is 6.2% of the amount shown in Box 3. The 2021 maximum is $8,853.60 for this box. Vanderbilt has matched your tax contributions with an equal amount.
BOX 5: Medicare wages
Box 1 amount plus Year to Date (YTD) 403(b) and 457(b) Before-Tax Deductions. There is no limit on these wages.
BOX 6: Medicare tax withheld
This is the Year to Date (YTD) Amount for "Medicare" shown in the "Taxes" section of your final yearly paystub. This amount is 1.45% of the amount shown in Box 5. An additional Medicare surcharge tax of 0.9% on wages in excess of $200,000 was withheld. Vanderbilt has contributed 1.45% of the amount shown in Box 5.
BOX 8-9: Not applicable for Vanderbilt University
BOX 10: Dependent care benefits
Note: This box includes Dependent Care Personal Spending Account deductions.
BOX 11: Nonqualified Plans
BOX 12: Multiple items may appear in these boxes.
The following codes may appear:
| C |
Taxable Group Term Life -- for individuals with Vanderbilt-provided life insurance amounts greater than $50,000 |
| E |
Voluntary Pre-tax Contributions to 403(b) -- includes voluntary employee retirement contributions; mandatory contributions are NOT included in this amount. |
| T |
Adoption assistance benefits provided by Vanderbilt |
| BB |
Voluntary Roth Contributions to 403(b) -- includes all voluntary employee retirement contributions |
| DD |
Reporting Employer Provided Health Coverage - reporting the cost of medical coverage (employee and employer portions). |
| W |
Employer and Employee Contributions to Health Savings Account (HSA) |
Guidelines for other codes that may appear are explained on the back of the W-2.
BOX 13: The following boxes may be checked:
- Statutory Employee - Not applicable for Vanderbilt University
- Retirement Plan - this box would be checked if you are enrolled in the Union Pension Plan, or make mandatory or voluntary 403(b) retirement contributions
- Third Party Sick Pay - Not Applicable for Vanderbilt University
BOX 14: Multiple items may appear in this box.
The following items could appear:
- Taxable Auto - personal use of Vanderbilt-provided automobiles
- Taxable Tuition - taxable tuition benefits paid to you, or on your behalf
BOX 16 - 20: State and Local Tax Information
These boxes should be used only for faculty, staff or students who are residents of, or work in a state where Vanderbilt is a registered employer.