Complete List of GTC W2 Processing Error Messages

Fatal Errors
Error GroupRecord TypeField NameError Description
FatalALLn/aThe RA record is required as the first record type.
FatalALLn/aAn RA record cannot appear in any position other than the first record in a file.
FatalALLn/aThe RF record is required as the last record type.
FatalALLn/aThe RF record cannot appear in any position other than the last record in the file.
FatalREn/aEach employer must have one and only one RT record.
FatalALLn/aAn RE record is required as the second record type.
FatalALLn/aAn RW record is required as the third record type.
FatalRTn/aAn RT record must immediately precede one of the following record types: RU, RV, RE or RF. Each employer must begin with an RE record and end with an RT record.
FatalRTn/aAn RT record must immediately follow one of the following record types: RS, RO or RW. Each employer must begin with an RE record and end with an RT record.
FatalALLn/aMMREF1/EFW2
formatted records must each contain exactly
512 characters.
FatalRVn/aAn RV record must immediately precede one of the following record types: RE or RF. Each employer must begin with an RE record and end with an RT or
RV record.
FatalRVn/aAn RV record must immediately follow one of the following record
types: RT or RU. Each employer must begin with an RE record and end with an RT or RV record.
FatalALLn/aThe first two characters
of each record must be one of the following: RA, RE, RW, RO, RS, RT, RU, RV, RF.
FatalALLn/aThe RA record is required as the first record type.
FatalALLn/aAn RA record cannot appear in any position other than the first record in a file
FatalALLn/aThe RF record is required as the last record type.
FatalALLn/aThe RF record cannot appear in any position other than the last record in the file.
Transmission Total/Value Errors
Error GroupRecord TypeField NameError Description
Transmission TotalRTNumber of RW RecordsThe field "Number of RW records" in position 3-9 of the RT record must match the actual RW count.
Transmission TotalRFNumber of RW RecordsThe field "Number of RW records" in position 8-16 of the RF record must match the actual RW count
Transmission ValueRAContact NameThe RA record must contain a contact name
Transmission ValueRAContact Phone NumberThe RA record must contain a contact phone number.
Unit-of-Work Errors
Error GroupRecord TypeField NameError Description
Unit-of-WorkREEmployer Identification NumberEach RE record must contain a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN) in position 8-16.
Unit-of-WorkREEmployer NameThe RE record must contain an employer name in position 40-96.
Unit-of-WorkRSState CodeEach RS record must contain a valid numeric state code in position 274-275. Valid numeric state codes are available in the MMREF1/EFW2 Appendix F.
Unit-of-WorkRSState Income Tax WithheldEach RS record must contain an 11-digit, right justified, zero filled "State Income Tax Withheld" amount in position 287-297
Unit-of-WorkRSState Taxable WagesEach RS record must contain an 11-digit, right justified, zero filled "State Taxable Wages" amount in position 276 - 286
Unit-of-WorkRETax YearThe RE record requires a 4-digit tax year in position 3-6. The tax year cannot be greater than the current year or more than 4 years in the past.
Unit-of-WorkREn/aEach employer must have at least one RS record.
Unit-of-WorkREn/aEach employer must have at least one RW record.
Unit-of-WorkREAgent Indicator CodeEach RE record must contain a valid agent indicator code in position 7
Unit-of-WorkREAgent for EINSince you indicated that you are an agent in position 7 of the RE record, that record must contain a valid Employer Identification Number (
Unit-of-Work FatalRSn/aEach RS record must immediately follow one of the following record types: RS, RO, or RW.
Unit-of-Work FatalRSState EINEach RS record must contain a valid 7 number, 2 letter state withholding ID in position 331-339

Additional Reference Information

Record Specifications - Quick Links: RS Record Specifications @ https://dor.georgia.gov/documents/federal-format-layout

IRS Record Specifications (RA, RE, RW, RO, RS, RT, RU, RV, RF) @
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1220.pdf

W2 @ https://www.ssa.gov/employer/efw/17efw2.pdf

W2C @ https://www.ssa.gov/employer/efw/17efw2c.pdf