Commission seeks answers on incorrect 2024 W-2s; corrected forms expected in February

Wayne County officials dedicated a major portion of the Jan. 8 Ways and Means meeting to the Triumph W-2 project after commissioners raised concerns about incorrect 2024 W-2s issued to county employees.

The county's ACM program project manager for the Triumph W-2 project told the committee that staff have identified the issues that generated the incorrect 2024 forms and that corrected W-2Cs for 2024 are anticipated to be mailed in early February. The project manager said the team has "made tremendous progress" identifying where issues occurred and that the corrected 2024 W-2Cs are planned for distribution in the first week of February.

Commissioners demanded immediate written communication to employees and to the commission's counsel about who will cover penalties or fees that employees may incur because of errors or omissions on the original forms. Chair Kenlock requested staff coordinate with commission counsel and provide a memo explaining remedial steps and the plan for covering any required costs.

Staff also said 2025 W-2s are on schedule to be mailed before the Jan. 31 filing deadline; the project manager told the committee that as of the meeting the county was "on target" to get 2025 W-2s out by the end of the week and did not anticipate repeating the same errors.

Commissioners asked whether staff had quantified how many employees were affected and whether the county would limit reimbursement for tax-preparer fees or amended-return charges. The project manager acknowledged that penalties and fees would require follow-up, and Terrence Adams (chief fiscal adviser) said staff and counsel will verify policy and report back.

Committee members asked for timely communications to employees so recipients will know whether to delay filing until corrected 2024 forms arrive or to proceed with 2025 filings. Staff agreed to follow up with counsel and return with a clear plan on notification and any cost coverage.