topic Turbo tax keeps ASKING ME FOR A STATE ID NUMBER AND I DO NOT HAVE ONE ON MY W2..HOW TO FIX THIS in State tax filing

Turbo tax keeps ASKING ME FOR A STATE ID NUMBER AND I DO NOT HAVE ONE ON MY W2..HOW TO FIX THIS

kirkie520 — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 09:11:39 GMT

That shouldn't really pose a problem; or at least not one...

GeoffreyG — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 09:11:40 GMT

That shouldn't really pose a problem; or at least not one that will prevent you from filing your tax return. Please allow me to explain, as well as how to "fix" this (or at least circumvent the issue).

The only truly meaningful elements on a W-2 for income tax filing purposes are your employer's federal EIN (Employer's ID number), your own Social Security Number (SSN), and your actual wage data. If there was a mistake made with any of these items, then that would definitely be something that requires attention.

However, with respect to the Box 15 state number ID issue, it won't really matter what you input in Box 15 Employer ID, as long as the software will accept it (explained below). Make sure that the state where you work (i.e., earned the wage income) is correctly selected from the Box 15 drop-down menu, if it has not already been pre-populated by the TurboTax program.

Then, simply try leaving the number space entirely blank at first. If there is any issue with Box 15 that prevents e-filing your return with a blank Box 15, and it absolutely requires some value in the software, then either try using your Federal EIN again here, or enter a "fictitious" value such as 12345 67890 (with a space in the middle, or not).

If the TurboTax program asks you for a state ID number in a specific format, such as needing exactly 9-digits and ending in XYZ, for instance, then enter a just enter a value that conforms to that format . . . such as 123456XYZ. This will enable you to bypass the issue and file your return. In other words, try to be a little creative here, and just give the software some value (even a made-up one) that it will accept. Of course, wherever a taxpayer has an actual state ID number printed on their W-2, they are strongly encouraged to use it.

In fact, the IRS computers and your state department of revenue really won't care here, as, they're essentially just looking for the federal EIN, SSN, and relevant wage data. The State ID is simply a bureaucratic convention for your state; the state can and will still be able to easily and uniquely identify your employer by their federal EIN, even if they have to cross-reference the Federal / State ID numbers in their database. In other words, this single issue should not affect the processing of your tax return, as long as you can satisfy the software with some acceptable input (or none at all).

Once again, your state should still be able to understand and process your tax return. As a very last resort, if nothing else works, you attempt to e-file and your state return is still rejected, then you can always ask your employer payroll office or human resources department for the actual number. If your employer has employees in your state (they must, because they employ you), then they will have a state tax ID number somewhere in their files, even if it's not printed on your W-2.

Thank you for asking this important question.

Re: That shouldn't really pose a problem; or at least not one...

taylininogueira — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:39:51 GMT

Are you recommending that someone put random values in their tax return?
Is this what Intuit stands for?

Re: That shouldn't really pose a problem; or at least not one...

KrisD15 — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

That does not seem to be a reply from a TurboTax Employee Expert and is from 2019.

Do you have a question?

Are you having an issue with a State ID number?

Re: That shouldn't really pose a problem; or at least not one...

possumpal — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 17:50:11 GMT

Turbotax should know the "State ID"s for all 50 states.

The answer given above is unhelpful because it refers to me the software user as a state employee, which I am certainly not.

Re: That shouldn't really pose a problem; or at least not one...

possumpal — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 17:55:29 GMT

What is the answer to the question of this thread? Why does Turbotax not know the "State ID" for all states? How is the user of Turbotax supposed to find this number and provide it for Turbotax, and if is is not really required, why does the software ask us for it? It should not do that right?

Re: That shouldn't really pose a problem; or at least not one...

VolvoGirl — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 17:59:53 GMT

State ID for all states? The state ID number will be different for EACH EMPLOYER, not just for the state. All the employers don't use the same #. How would Turbo Tax know that? The only state ID that Turbo Tax would know is the 2 letter like CA for California, NY for New York etc.