Credit for tax paid to other state

[jtompkins43]

I lived and worked in both Kansas and Missouri in 2016. For about 3 months, I worked in MO while living in KS. Then for about 4 months I worked in MO while living in MO.  For the last 5 months of the year, I worked in KS while living in MO.  I have two W2's for both jobs, the first in MO and the second in KS. So I did part-year resident returns for both states.  Would I have at anytime qualified for the "credit for tax paid to other state"?  My general understanding is that this would be for someone who was double taxed.  Would I have been?  Any help or suggestions would be great. Thanks!

[MaryK1]

You are correct- the general rule is a state taxes its residents on all income regardless of where it is earned and the state taxes nonresidents on income earned in the state.  A part year resident only pays tax on the income earned while a resident and any state income earned while a nonresident.  

However, in your case the rules apply but Kansas taxes a bit different--  you have the option to file a Kansas return as either a resident or a nonresident. As a resident, you must file a Kansas income tax return if you file a Federal income tax return or if your income is greater than the combined total of your Kansas standard deduction and your personal exemption amount. The credit for taxes paid to another state would apply here because you treat all income as if it had been earned in Kansas.            

As a nonresident, you must file a Kansas income tax return if you have any income from Kansas sources.
It is to your benefit to examine both the resident and nonresident filing options in determining your tax liability.