All 2016 Copy A of Form W-2 and Form W-3 must be filed with the SSA by what date following the calendar year in which the wages were paid?

The correct answer is that all 2016 Copy A of Form W-2 and Form W-3 must be filed with the Social Security Administration (SSA) by the end of February following the calendar year in which the wages were paid. This deadline is crucial for employers to ensure that all wage information is reported accurately and in a timely manner to the SSA, which uses this information for calculations regarding Social Security benefits.

For the tax year 2016, this meant that forms had to be submitted by February 28, 2017, if mailed, or by January 31, 2017, if filed electronically. However, since the question specifies the end of February, it is aligned with the traditional filing deadline for paper submissions.

It's important to recognize the significance of these deadlines to maintain compliance with federal regulations and to avoid potential penalties for late filing. Understanding these deadlines aids in proper payroll management and ensures that employees' earnings are accurately reported to the government.