Attending college out of state

[Mel1113]

For a college student living in an off campus apartment attending school and working in Illinois but is an Iowa resident.

Turbo tax asks if you had more then one state of residence. I chose no. It then asks what was your state of residence: just IL, I made money in Illinois last year, but I never lived there, or I had more than one state of residence. I think I have to choose had more than one state of residence, although she is only a resident of Iowa.  And then I have to enter the dates of residency for both states. 

can you tell me if I am entering the correct information?

thank you.

[MaryK4]

The correct choice is I made money in Illinois last year, but I never lived there* (see the link below).

• What if I am a resident of a reciprocal state but worked in Illinois while I attended school?

[Hal_Al]

Q. Am I entering the correct information?

A. No.  

She is only an IA resident and was a full year IA resident. Being away at school, even if living off campus and working, is only a temporary absence.

When asked in the personal info  section if you earned income in another state, you should answer no. The fine print on that page tells you to do that due to the reciprocity agreement between IA & IL. If you answered yes, TurboTax is going to prompt you to do a return for IL. If you didn’t have IL withholding you don’t need to do an IL return.

[Mel1113]

Thank you for the reply.

I failed to mention that IL did take out state taxes. So, does this change how I answer the questions for the state taxes section in TurboTax?
The federal return will show both her Iowa and IL W-2s. When starting the state portion, do I need to show $0 for amount earned in IL in order to get a refund? 

[Hal_Al]

Q.  So, does this change how I answer the questions for the state taxes section in TurboTax?

A. Yes. You did earn income in IL. 

Q. When starting the state portion, do I need to show $0 for amount earned in IL in order to get a refund? 

A. Yes

If you are a resident of Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, or Wisconsin who worked in Illinois, you must file Form IL-1040 and  Schedule NR if:

• you received income in Illinois from sources other than wages, salaries, tips, and commissions (you must pay tax on this income regardless of residency) or
• you want a refund of any Illinois Income Tax withheld.