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Hello,
I am a little confused on the tax agreement between AZ and CA. Looking for clarification.
I am an AZ resident, working for a couple of months (contract) in CA for a CA employer. Could you guys let me know which of the three scenarios below are most likely to be the case?
I am just trying to understand the situation as I know the method of filing changes and which return you file first if crucial as well.
Thank you!
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STATES WITH RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS
I am not familiar with the reciprocal agreement between Arizona and California, or with Arizona and California tax laws, but here are a few things you need to look into.
First of all, you used both the words "contract" and "employer," so it's not clear whether you are an employee or an independent contractor for the California company. If you are an employee they withhold income tax from your pay, and they will send you a W-2 at the end of the year. If you are a contractor they do not take any deductions from what they pay you, and they will send you a Form 1099-NEC at the end of the year. You have to be clear about whether you are working as an employee or as a contractor.
Most reciprocal agreements apply only to W-2 income. So if you are a contractor, the reciprocal agreement might not apply to you.
For someone who lives in one state and works in another state, the most common arrangement is to pay tax in both states, but get a credit on the resident state tax return for part or all of the tax paid to the nonresident state. But Arizona and California are "reverse credit states." That means that the usual arrangement is reversed. You would get credit on your California nonresident tax return for the tax you pay to Arizona. This would apply to all types of income, so it would apply whether you are an employee or a contractor.
You need to find a local tax professional who is familiar with the details of the tax arrangements between Arizona and California. If you rely on your current accountant, first of all make sure that she clearly understands whether you are an employee or a contractor in California, and takes that into consideration. Then ask her whether the reciprocal agreement applies, and how the reverse credit arrangement affects you. If she seems to be unfamiliar with these details, you might need to find another tax professional who is better acquainted with these considerations.
Deleted....rjs covered it.
Thank you for this. Very helpful.
I apologize for the confusion. I am a W2 through a contract house for the duration of the contract with my customer. So W2.
I am trying to get confirmation from another accounting firm. I was just unsure if the credit I get from CA is just for the amount I owe AZ (making my tax burden the full CA withholding, CA just keeps the difference in tax rates) or for everything I paid CA (making my tax burden just AZ withholding). Sounds like it is the former.
You are correct. The California credit is only for the amount of tax that you actually pay to Arizona.
For both states, the amount of withholding is not what matters. What matters is the final amount of tax for the year determined on each state tax return. Withholding just an advance payment towards the final total tax on the tax return.
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