topic W-2 Box 15 TOTAL STATE in State tax filing

W-2 Box 15 TOTAL STATE

jsandrich — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 03:43:06 GMT

I start working in 2020 (I only have this job) for a very large company. I am a resident of NJ. and on Box C employer address also shows NJ employer. But, somehow I got 2 W-2, one NY and one NJ

First W-2 (NY); shows on Fed filing copy portion has a "TOTAL STATE" on box 15 (employer's state ID) and box 16 is empty and box 17 shows state income tax amount been paid . But, on NY state reference and filing portion all 3 (15,16,17) boxes have values

On the second copy for the NJ, it only has NJ state Filing copy; on Box 15 has NJ and employer's state ID NO (same as NY one but with additional /000 to the end), it shows taxable wages but NO tax withholding at all (box 17), while Box 16 do have a value

Any idea why is this and do I need file tax return on both States?

Re: W-2 Box 15 TOTAL STATE

Mike9241 — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 04:01:51 GMT

if your employer had an office in NY and you worked in that office you would likely owe NY state income taxes for the wages you received while working there. in addition, your total wages would be taxable in NJ with you getting a credit for the taxes paid to NY. if this is not the case it would seem your w-2 as far as state filings go is messed up. in that case, contact your employer.

Re: W-2 Box 15 TOTAL STATE

jsandrich — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 04:18:59 GMT

Thank you for your response.

As a matter of fact, I do work in a facility in NY but due to the pandemic since last March, I only went to the NY facility handful of time while most of time I'm WFH. Do I prorate the days between NY and NJ (only like less than 10 days went to the NY facility) when I file state for both on the return ?

Re: W-2 Box 15 TOTAL STATE

AmyC — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 22:21:59 GMT

Yes, hopefully your NY W2 is accurate for the days worked in NY, that would be the easiest. Be sure to complete your NY before doing your NJ return in order to correctly capture the credit for tax paid to NY on the NJ return.