Get your taxes done using TurboTax

No, entering zero doesn't resolve your issue because it doesn't match the information on the W2. Instead, here's what should be done to ensure accurate reporting on your return for the five states. In this case, you will need to report all five states on your return.

In the W-2 entry screen of TurboTax, you should see a section for "State and Local Taxes" (Boxes 15 through 20).

1. Box 15: Enter the two-letter state code (e.g., NY, CA, Co).
2. Box 16 (State Wages, Tips, etc.): This is the "State Portion" you are looking for. Enter the specific amount listed for that state.
3. Box 17: Enter the state income tax withheld for that state. 
4. After entry, select add another state to enter more states until all five are reported.

If you add up all the amounts in Box 16 for all 5 states, you might notice two things:

1. The sum matches the federal total when you lived in one state but worked in others, as long as the income is sourced correctly. 
2. If the sum is higher than the federal total, that’s normal in states like New York or California. These states often list your full year’s salary in Box 16, even if you only worked there for a short time.

If the total of Box 16 exceeds Box 1 (Federal Wages). TurboTax uses the "State Allocation" section later in the "State Taxes" tab to determine exactly how many days you spent in each state, so you aren't taxed twice on the same dollar. When you begin working on each state, you will see the allocation screens that appear, especially in California and New York state returns.