What to Do With Multiple W-2 Forms From the Same or Different Employers?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 4.8% of total employed men and 6.1% of employed women in the US had multiple jobs in 2024. Inflation, economic instability, and the increasing demand for side hustles are some of the reasons why many individuals have multiple jobs.

If you're one of them, you'll probably receive multiple W-2 forms at the end of each tax year. That adds an extra level of complexity to tax filing. However, there's no need to panic. We'll guide you on what to do if you have two or more W-2 forms.

Can You Have Two W-2 Jobs At the Same Time?

First, let's make this clear. You can absolutely have two or more W-2 jobs at the same time. There's no limit on how many W-2 forms you can receive as long as they come from legitimate employers who withhold taxes from your paycheck.

That means you may work as a marketing manager at a company and teach at your local community college during weekends. Both jobs will give you W-2 forms at the end of each fiscal year.

Do You Need a Separate W-2 for Each Job?

If you work for two different employers, you'll need separate W-2 forms for each job since each company has to report your income and withhold taxes independently.

However, if you do multiple jobs at the same organization, you may only get one W-2 form. For example, in their FAQs on W-2 status, the University of Utah has explained that students who have done multiple jobs at the university will get a single W-2 form.

Similarly, if you work at a food chain restaurant as a cashier in one branch for a few months and another one for the rest of the year, you'll likely only receive one W-2 form. However, there may be exceptions, as we explain below.

Can You Get Two W-2 From Same Employer?

Suppose you worked at a company's office in Chicago for the first six months of a year as a junior manager. You were then transferred to their Los Angeles office for the remaining half after being promoted to the senior manager position. At the end of the year, you get two W-2 forms.

You may wonder: why did I get two W-2s from the same company? Even more surprisingly, why did I get 2 W-2s from the same employer with different amounts?

Sometimes, the same employer may send you two W-2 forms. They may have switched to a new payroll provider during the year. Or if you're an intern, you previously worked part-time and then full-time when the employer hired you. In these situations, your employer may send two W-2 forms for tax purposes.

The amount on these W-2 forms differs if your income has changed during the year. In the example above, the first W-2 form will reflect what you got paid as a junior manager, and the second form will have a higher tax rate (and salary) on the W-2 form since you're now a senior manager.

How to File Multiple W-2 Forms From Different Employers?

You might think: if I have two W-2 forms, do I add them together? Well, the answer is yes and no.

When you have multiple W-2 forms from different employers, you have to file both of them on your tax return. However, you don't need to add both amounts. Instead, file each W-2 form separately.

Let's take the same teacher and marketing manager example to explain how to do this. To start, collect both W-2 forms from respective employers. Then, start your tax filing process. You may use tax software or hire a tax professional to help you. The IRS has a Free File Program, which allows eligible taxpayers to use tax software for free.

Enter the information from your first W-2 (marketing job) first. Double-check the details for accuracy. Then, do the same for the second W-2 (teaching job). If you have more W-2 forms, repeat the process.

Your tax software will then calculate your total income and taxes from both jobs on your final tax return. If you're filing on your own, you'll need to do these calculations manually.

Conclusion

If you've ever approached the tax season wondering: what if I have two W-2 forms from different employers, you now know what to do. The easiest route is to use tax software and file each W-2 separately.

You can use a W-2 form generator to get this important document in time for your tax returns. If you have a complicated tax situation, work with a professional to save time and hassle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is having multiple W-2s bad?

Having more than one W-2 form is not always a bad thing. It simply shows that you had multiple sources of income during the tax year. However, this could mean you end up paying more in taxes since you may be in a higher tax bracket.

Why do multiple W-2s hurt your tax return?

Multiple W-2s typically mean a higher income, which ultimately leads to a higher tax rate since you're now earning more. However, this isn't always the case, as it depends on your tax bracket and deductions. Having more than one W-2 only hurts your tax return if they have pushed you into an upper tax bracket where the rates are higher.

How to file two W-2 forms from different employers in TurboTax?

In your TurboTax tax return profile, go to the W-2 section. Click the Add/Edit option to enter your first W-2 information. Once done, repeat the process for the second W-2 form. Since there's an option to edit each form, you should double-check the information before filing your taxes. Explore more How to File Taxes With Last Pay Stub on TurboTax

What if I get two W-2 forms from the same employer with duplicate information?

If you receive two W-2 forms from the same employer with identical information, you only need to enter one of them in your tax return. However, it's always best to keep both copies for your records. You should also inform your employer that you have received two similar copies. 

References:

• https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf
• https://fbs.admin.utah.edu/tax-services/w2_form/w2-faq/
• https://www.irs.gov/filing/irs-free-file-do-your-taxes-for-free