Have NJ income for 2019 but moved to NYC in October. Filed federal and NJ state taxes. Do I need to file NYS and NYC taxes, too?

[spumeus91]

Hi all, I hope this finds you well despite the ongoing pandemic.

I have an NJ income above $10000 for 2019 but moved to NYC in October 2019. I have filed federal and NJ state taxes. Do I need to file NYS and NYC taxes?

I have no NYS or NYC income.

If somebody can also explain how to arrive at the answer, I would be very grateful.

[MarilynG1]

Thanks for your concern.

Since you lived in both New Jersey and New York for part of the year, you would file a Part-Year Resident State Return to both states.

You will need to Allocate Your Income to report what was earned while a Resident in Each State. 

You could end up owing one state, and getting a refund from the other, depending on which state you paid taxes to. 

Since you already filed your Federal Return and New Jersey return, you can open TurboTax and review your NJ return to see if you need to Amend your State Return, based on the Allocation. 

Click this link for more info on How to file a Part-Year Resident Return.

This link gives instructions on How to Amend a State Return. 

[spumeus91]

Thanks, @MarilynG1!

I was under the impression that because I lived for more than six months in NJ, I was considered a resident of that state.

Can you explain what it means to allocate one's income?

Luckily I have completed my NJ state return but forgot to file it. So I won't need to amend it, I can just start over.

Does this mean I also have to pay NYC taxes for the allocated amount?

Thanks again!

[MaryK4]

Allocation of income means indicating which state you earned it in.  For example, if you lived in NJ from Jan 1 to Mar 31 the moved to NY and lived Apr 1 to Dec 31 and worked for the same company, you would allocate 25% to NJ and 75 % to NY.

@spumeus91

[spumeus91]

Thanks, @MaryK4!

What counts as the move date officially?

I was back and forth for several weeks while settling in.

[KatrinaB48]

You should use the date when you were finished with your move.

[spumeus91]

Thanks, @KatrinaB48 , unfortunately I don't understand what that means. How do I determine when I was done with the move?

When I got a NY ID? When I moved out of my previous place? Is it arbitrary?

[AmyC]

Yes, a move date is either all packed and moved or lots of shuffling. You can look at when your employer began withholding for the new job, driver's license, voting, car insurance, so many little things add up to your being a resident at the new place. In your case, it isn't an exact date, just one that makes the most sense for your situation.