401(k) contributions reported in box 14 instead of box 12 on W-2

[DadJokes]

While working on our taxes, I'm coming up $200 short of what my spreadsheet shows we should have for taxes. Upon diving into the forms, it appears that we are only getting $200 for the Retirement Savings Credit, instead of $400. The reason appears to be that my wife's employer, a school district, put her 401(k) contributions in box 14 of her W-2 instead of box 12 coded D.

Is there a particular reason why they would do that, or is it a mistake? It looks to be pretty annoying to get a W-2 corrected. Even more annoying, I might need to do amended returns for the previous years or miss out on $200/year for the last five years.

If there's a legitimate reason for it, I can just throw $2k in an IRA for her to get the full credit.

[terran]

...my wife's employer, a school district, put her 401(k) contributions in box 14 of her W-2 instead of box 12 coded D.

My wife's mandatory 403(b) contributions are in box 14 with the word "MANRETR"

According to https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw2w3#idm139743471339056, in box 14 "you may enter the following contributions to a pension plan: (a) nonelective employer contributions made on behalf of an employee, (b) voluntary after-tax contributions (but not designated Roth contributions) that are deducted from an employee's pay, (c) required employee contributions, and (d) employer matching contributions."

So it sounds like typically retirement plan contributions entered in box 14 nonelective contributions and according to the instructions for form 8880 elective contributions are entered in box 2 for the Saver's Tax Credit. Is it possible that your wife's 401(k) contributions are mandatory?

If there's a legitimate reason for it, I can just throw $2k in an IRA for her to get the full credit.

If you have the money, why not just contribute to the IRA?

[DadJokes]

...my wife's employer, a school district, put her 401(k) contributions in box 14 of her W-2 instead of box 12 coded D.

My wife's mandatory 403(b) contributions are in box 14 with the word "MANRETR"

According to https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw2w3#idm139743471339056, in box 14 "you may enter the following contributions to a pension plan: (a) nonelective employer contributions made on behalf of an employee, (b) voluntary after-tax contributions (but not designated Roth contributions) that are deducted from an employee's pay, (c) required employee contributions, and (d) employer matching contributions."

So it sounds like typically retirement plan contributions entered in box 14 nonelective contributions and according to the instructions for form 8880 elective contributions are entered in box 2 for the Saver's Tax Credit. Is it possible that your wife's 401(k) contributions are mandatory?

If there's a legitimate reason for it, I can just throw $2k in an IRA for her to get the full credit.

If you have the money, why not just contribute to the IRA?

I read that as well, and 5% of her paycheck is mandatory, but we throw in an extra $800 per month.

I am trying to keep cash to use for bank bonuses. I can make more with bank bonuses than I can in the market with $2k.

We sent an email to her central office. I hope it's that easy.