working in multiple states - short term

[Rosimartin_22]

As a carpenter who works nationwide, do I need to file state tax returns if working less than a month or weeks at a time for those states that require state tax returns? My permanent residency is and always filed in Colorado.

[JamesG1 · Accepted solution]

You have permanent residency in the state of Colorado but regularly work in other states.  Are you self-employed as a carpenter? Or are you receiving a W-2 from an employer?  Please clarify.

If you are an employee receiving a W-2, your employer would be apportioning income to the state in which you are working and reporting that information on your IRS form W-2.

If you are self-employed as a carpenter, you would have to see the non-resident tax rules for the individual state in which you are working.  For instance, in Indiana, part-year and nonresidents include income received from Indiana sources while a nonresident.  Each state will differ.

[Rosimartin_22]

I'm a W-2 employee.  Are saying that the length of time has no bearing on whether or not I must file state tax returns? Sometimes it's only a week or less.

[MaryK4]

Each state has its own filing requirements, most are based o amount earned not time (but there are a few).  You would have to look at each state requirement. @Rosimartin_22