Where to Find Tax Deferred Pension and Retirement Savings Plans: Form W2 & 5498
Tax-deferred retirement plans allow investment earnings to accumulate without current taxation until the money is withdrawn.
Employer-sponsored plans and individual retirement accounts provide different ways to save for retirement while receiving tax advantages.
Where Is Your 401(k) On Your W-2?
Find your 401(k) contributions on your W-2, including Box 12 codes, Box 1 wages, Roth 401(k) contributions and what the amounts mean for your taxes.
Find It On Your W-2
What Counts as Tax-Deferred Retirement Savings?
Retirement savings plans fall into two broad categories: qualified employer plans and individual plans (IRAs), plus other vehicles.
All allow investment growth tax-deferred and are taxed on withdrawal.
| Plan | Tax Treatment | Employer Contribution | Vesting | Rollover / Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 401(k) | Pre-tax or Roth | Often available | Employee: 100%; employer: plan rules | Generally permitted |
| 403(b) | Pre-tax or Roth | May be available | Plan rules | Generally permitted |
| 457(b) | Pre-tax or Roth* | Usually none | Plan rules | Generally permitted |
| SIMPLE 401(k) | Pre-tax | Required | 100% | Subject to SIMPLE rules |
| SIMPLE IRA | Pre-tax | 3% match or 2% nonelective | 100% | Subject to SIMPLE rules |
| SEP IRA | Pre-tax | Employer only | 100% | Generally permitted |
| Traditional IRA | Pre-tax if deductible | — | — | Generally permitted |
| Roth IRA | After-tax | — | — | Subject to Roth rules |
| Deferred annuity | After-tax | — | — | Contract-dependent |
| NQDC (§409A) | Deferred compensation | Plan-specific | Plan rules | Generally not IRA-rollover eligible |
Tax-deferred retirement savings generally refers to accounts in which contributions or earnings are not currently subject to federal income tax, and taxation is postponed until a later distribution.
Where to Find the Amount on Your W-2
| 22222 |
VOID
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a Employee’s social security number XXX-XX-4821 | For Official Use Only OMB No. 1545-0029 | |
| b Employer identification number (EIN) 84-1234567 | 1 Wages, tips, other compensation96,000.00 | 2 Federal income tax withheld11,420.55 | ||
|
c Employer’s name, address, and ZIP code
Bluepeak Analytics, Inc. 4410 Harbor View Drive Austin, TX 78701 |
3 Social security wages111,000.00 | 4 Social security tax withheld6,882.00 | ||
| 5 Medicare wages and tips111,000.00 | 6 Medicare tax withheld1,609.50 | |||
| 7 Social security tips0.00 | 8 Allocated tips0.00 | |||
| d Control number00-882194 | 9 | 10 Dependent care benefits0.00 | ||
|
e Employee’s first name and initial Last name Suff.
Jane R.
Doe
|
11 Nonqualified plans0.00 |
12a See instructions for box 12
C O D ED
15,000.00
|
||
|
13
Statutory
employee Retirement
plan Third-party
sick pay |
12b
C O D EAA
2,000.00
|
|||
| 14a Other |
12c
C O D E
|
|||
| f Employee’s address and ZIP code218 Willow Creek Lane, Round Rock, TX 78664 | 14b Treasury Tipped Occupation Code(s) |
12d
C O D E
|
||
| 15 StateTX | Employer’s state ID numberN/A | 16 State wages, tips, etc.96,000.00 | 17 State income tax0.00 | 18 Local wages, tips, etc.0.00 | 19 Local income tax0.00 |
Box 12 codes: Employers report elective deferrals and after-tax retirement contributions in Box 12 of Form W-2 using letter codes.
- Code D – 401(k) elective deferrals (includes any SIMPLE 401(k) plans).
- Code E – 403(b) elective deferrals.
- Code F – SARSEP (Salary-reduction SEP) elective deferrals.
- Code G – Governmental 457(b) deferrals (including elective or required deferrals).
- Code S – SIMPLE IRA deferrals. (Employee deferrals under a 408(p) SIMPLE IRA; SIMPLE 401(k) uses Code D.)
For after-tax Roth contributions:
- Code AA – Roth 401(k) deferrals (designated Roth contributions under a 401(k) plan).
- Code BB – Roth 403(b) deferrals.
- Code EE – Roth government 457(b) deferrals (note: a tax-exempt employer’s 457(b) can’t have a Roth).
A complete list of W-2 codes appears in the IRS instructions.
Employers must also check Box 13, Retirement plan, if the employee participated in a qualified plan during the year.
If she instead contributes $2,000 to a Roth 401(k), Box 12 will show “AA 2000.00,” and Box 1 wages will include that $2,000.
Employers typically display these codes in the Box 12 section of the W-2 or on pay stubs under “retirement savings,” with labels for 401(k), 403(b), IRA, and similar plans.
Took Money From Your 401(k)?
Learn how to report a 401(k) withdrawal on your tax return, including Form 1099-R, federal taxes, withholding, penalties and where the distribution goes on your return.
See How To Report It
IRA and Self‑Employed Contributions on Tax Forms
| 2828 |
VOID
CORRECTED
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1 IRA contributions (other than amounts in boxes 2–4, 8–10, 13a, and 14a) $6,500.00 |
OMB No. 1545-0747
2026
Form 5498
|
IRA
Contribution Information Copy A
For Internal RevenueService Center For filing information, Privacy Act, and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the General Instructions for Certain Information Returns.
www.irs.gov/Form1099
|
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| TRUSTEE’S/ISSUER’S name Meridian Trust Custodial Services | ||||||
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Street address2200 Congress Ave, Suite 400
Room/suite no.
|
2 Rollover contributions$0.00 | |||||
| City/townAustin | 3 Roth IRA conversion amount$0.00 | 4 Recharacterized contributions$0.00 | ||||
|
State/provinceTX
CountryUS
ZIP/foreign code78701
|
5 FMV of account$142,300.00 | 6 Life insurance cost included in box 1$0.00 | ||||
| TRUSTEE’S/ISSUER’S TINXX-XXX4821 | PARTICIPANT’S TINXXX-XX-4821 |
7 IRA
SEP
SIMPLE
Roth IRA
|
||||
| PARTICIPANT’S nameJane R. Doe | 8 SEP contributions$9,200.00 | 9 SIMPLE contributions$0.00 | ||||
|
Street address218 Willow Creek Lane
Apt. no.
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10 Roth IRA contributions$0.00 | 11 Check if RMD for 2027 | ||||
| City/townRound Rock | 12a RMD date | 12b RMD amount$0.00 | ||||
|
State/provinceTX
CountryUS
ZIP/foreign code78664
|
13a Postponed/late contrib.$0.00
13b Year
13c Code
|
|||||
| 14a Repayments$0.00 | ||||||
| 14b Code | ||||||
| Account number (see instructions)IRA-88421-JD | 15a FMV of certain specified assets$0.00 | 15b Code(s) | ||||
IRA and self-employed retirement contributions are reported or deducted on different tax forms depending on the type of contribution.
| Situation | Form / Location |
|---|---|
| Traditional IRA contribution | Form 5498, Box 1 |
| Deductible Traditional IRA contribution | Schedule 1, Line 20 |
| Nondeductible Traditional IRA contribution | Form 8606, Part I |
| Roth IRA contribution | Form 5498, Box 10 |
| SEP IRA contribution | Form 5498, Box 8 |
| SIMPLE IRA contribution | Form 5498, Box 9 |
| Self-employed SEP/SIMPLE/qualified-plan contribution | Schedule 1, Line 16 |
| Deductible part of self-employment tax | Schedule 1, Line 15 |
| Business net profit | Schedule C |
| Self-employment tax calculation | Schedule SE |
| IRA rollover/conversion | Form 5498 / Form 8606 |
Figure: Form 5498 (IRA Contribution Information) showing IRA contributions by type.
For self-employed retirement plans, the deductible contribution is calculated using net earnings from self-employment and is reported on Schedule 1, line 16; the deductible portion of self-employment tax is reported on line 15.
How to Report Tax-Deferred Retirement Contributions
| Step | If You… | Do This | Form / Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Have a 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), or SIMPLE contribution from your paycheck | Enter your W-2 exactly as shown | W-2 |
| 2 | Made a Traditional IRA contribution | Determine whether it is deductible | Schedule 1, line 20 |
| 3 | Made a nondeductible Traditional IRA contribution | Report the nondeductible amount and track your IRA basis | Form 8606, Part I |
| 4 | Made a Roth IRA contribution | Do not claim a deduction | No deduction |
| 5 | Made a SEP/SIMPLE/qualified-plan contribution as self-employed | Calculate the allowable deduction | Schedule 1, line 16 |
| 6 | Received a retirement distribution | Enter your 1099-R | Form 1040, lines 4a/4b or 5a/5b |
| 7 | Rolled over a retirement distribution | Report the distribution and identify the qualifying rollover | Form 1040 |
| 8 | Converted a Traditional IRA to Roth IRA | Report the conversion and calculate taxable amount | Form 1040 + Form 8606 |
| 9 | Had an excess contribution/deferral | Determine the applicable correction procedure | Special rules |
| 10 | Need to correct an already-filed return | Correct the affected forms and calculations | Form 1040-X, if required |
After identifying the applicable form or line, use the IRS instructions and your tax documents to determine the amount to report and whether any additional forms, worksheets, or calculations are required.
Tax Deferred FAQ
Generally, anyone with earned income can contribute to an IRA, while eligible employees can contribute to a workplace retirement plan if their employer offers one.
The 2026 limit is $24,500 for 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans and $7,500 for traditional and Roth IRAs, with higher limits for SIMPLE and SEP IRAs.
Yes, most eligible retirement funds can be rolled over tax-free, especially through a direct transfer.
No, employer matches generally aren’t taxed until you withdraw the money.
Keep your W-2s, pay stubs, Form 5498s, and contribution records to verify your contributions.
Yes, if you have eligible earned income, although foreign income and tax rules may affect your eligibility.
Generally, you can withdraw funds penalty-free at 59½, although some exceptions apply.
Yes, self-employed individuals can contribute through plans such as a Solo 401(k), SEP IRA, or SIMPLE IRA.
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