What Does Box 12 Code GG Mean on a W-2?
Income from qualified equity grants under Section 83(i). 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 GG is income from qualified equity grants under section 83(i).
What Code GG means
If you see Code GG, equity compensation is involved and the amount is part of your income, consider getting professional help with the timing rules.
Does Code GG affect my taxes?
Income you elected to defer from certain stock grants under Section 83(i). This is a specialized code for employees at eligible private companies.
Where to find Code GG 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 GG. 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.