Important: We file Forms W-2 and 1099 electronically, so we are not required to file the cover sheets—Form W-3 and Form 1096. We provide them for you in Gusto, but we do not file or correct them.
This article is for admins who need to download W-3 or 1096 tax forms in Gusto. If you’re an accountant, you’ll follow these same steps once you’re working in your client’s account.
If you’re an employee looking for your W-2, see View, print, or download your W-2 (for employees). If you’re a domestic contractor looking for your 1099, see View and download your 1099-NEC (for contractors).
Accountants can get these forms two ways:
All clients at once—from your Gusto Pro dashboard, create a W-2 and 1099 tax package. It includes the employer copy of Form W-3 and the employer copy of Form 1096 for each client. See Download tax form packages for all clients for the steps.
One client at a time—open that client’s account from your Gusto Pro dashboard, then follow the steps below. If you do not see Taxes & Compliance, you’re still in your firm dashboard rather than in the client’s account.
Form W-3 is a federal form. It acts as the cover sheet for a company’s W-2 package. This form is only required if W-2s are sent by paper, and since we file W-2s electronically, we do not file this form with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
The full W-2 package includes:
All W-2 forms for each employee
The W-3 cover sheet with annual wages and taxes (included for informational purposes only)
We provide Form W-3 for you in Gusto, but we do not file or correct it.
To download and keep it for your records:
Go to Taxes & Compliance.
Click Tax documents.
Click the W-2s tab.
Click Download W-2s and W-3s.
Select the year, then click Download.
Open the downloaded zip file and find the form titled US_W_3_ Company_name.
Note: Some states and local agencies may require an annual reconciliation along with Form W-2 filings. We’ll file this for you if needed.
Form 1096 is a federal form. It acts as the cover sheet for a company’s 1099 package. This form is only required if 1099s are sent by paper, and since we file 1099s electronically, we do not file this form with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
We provide Form 1096 for you in Gusto, but we do not file or correct it.
To download and keep it for your records:
Go to Taxes & Compliance.
Click Tax documents.
Click the 1099s tab.
Once we finalize your forms, click Download prior year 1099s.
While the forms are still drafts, click Download 202X draft 1099s.
Select the year, then click Download.
Open the downloaded zip file folder. You’ll find the 1096 listed in this folder as 01_1096.pdf.
If you downloaded the draft 1099 forms to a zip file, you’ll find the form listed in the folder as US_1099_ Company_name.
For states that require a paper copy of Form 1096 with state copies of Forms 1099, we’ll file it if your state requires it.
Q: Why does my W-3 not match my payroll reports?
A: We do not file Form W-3—it’s created for you as part of your W-2 package. If changes were made to payroll information after your W-2s were created, those changes do not appear on Form W-3.
Q: How do I reconcile Form W-3 against my payroll information?
A: Your original Form W-3 totals should match your year-end payroll reports, unless changes were made after the original W-2s were created.
When reconciling:
Use final year-end payroll reports
Account for pre-tax deductions and benefits
Review all boxes and taxation (ex. Social Security wage bases)
Any changes made to W-2s after original forms were created will not reflect on the W-3.