Under the temporary regulations, a person required to furnish a copy of a Form W-2, to an employee, may furnish the form when it is provided electronically on a Web site instead of on paper if certain conditions, described below, are met. The rules attempt to accommodate both filers and recipients.
Some employers furnishing statements want to reduce costs and modernize business processes.
Some recipients want to receive electronic statements to file income tax returns quickly and accurately. However, the rules also accommodate employees who want paper statements. These taxpayers may choose to continue to receive paper statements. The new regulations apply to copies of Forms W-2 that are required to be furnished to employees after December 31, 2000. The temporary regulations do not change the rules for filing Forms W-2 with the Social Security Administration.