What Does Box 12 Code EE Mean on a W-2?
Roth 457(b) contribution. What it means, whether it is taxable, and what to do with it.
By the Easy Guides Editorial Team · Updated for 2026
Box 12 Code EE is roth 457(b) contribution.
What Code EE means
It's the Roth version of Code G, available in some government 457(b) plans.
Does Code EE affect my taxes?
Your Roth contribution to a governmental 457(b) plan. It's after-tax, so it's already in your Box 1 wages with no deduction.
Where to find Code EE on your W-2
Look at box 12, in the middle-right of the form. It has up to four lines, labelled 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d. Those letters are only line labels. The code you want is the small letter or pair of letters printed next to the amount, and it will read EE. If you have more than four entries, your employer issues a second W-2 to carry the rest.
Not the code you were looking for? The full box 12 code list covers every letter, and the W-2 box decoder explains every box on the form.