
IRS mandates W-2 reporting for overtime deduction in 2026 with clarified eligibility
For 2026, employers must report the eligible overtime amount on workers’ W-2s (box 12 code TT); only the overtime premium—the extra 0.5x pay above the regular rate—qualifies for the deduction, capped at $12,500 for singles or $25,000 for married couples and phased out at $150k/$300k. Unlike 2025, where reporting was waived, this year requires employer reporting; workers should still verify the amount on their pay stubs and request a corrected W-2 if it’s inaccurate. About 29 million taxpayers claimed the deduction in 2025 with an average of over $3,100.











