Previous employer had reached out about overpaid wages in 2025. For clarity – I have already filed taxes using the W2 they provided me.
They want me to repay net pay + 401k deferrals (EE + ER) + income tax withheld. They also want me to sign a document stating they have my permission to recoup FICA from IRS and that I will not file claiming those taxes paid, but I already did.
A few questions:
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Should 401k deferrals be paid back by me or should those be handled thru the plan (a reversal)? I’m skeptical that I should repay these deferrals without a correction/reversal. Won’t it will be seen as tax deferred contributions on income I was not paid?
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How to handle FICA now that I’ve filed?
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If I don’t sign the document granting them permission to seek FICA refund because I have claimed them already, how do they get t their employer paid FICA taxes?
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Should I pay income tax withholding back?
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Should I get/do I need a CPA?
Thanks!
Posted by kai920
1 Comment
Don’t repay anything yet. This should be fixed with a corrected W-2 (W-2c) and proper payroll reversals, not by you paying back taxes directly. 401(k) deferrals should be reversed through the plan, FICA and income tax withholding handled via payroll corrections, and you typically repay net wages only. Since you’ve already filed, amended returns may be needed once corrections are issued. Yes, a CPA is strongly recommended here.