Huge number owed DC taxes

[julia-stanton]

I am filing my 2022 tax return. I work for the government and my W2 says DE, Delaware for whatever reason. I live in DC and have already paid 2830 out of wages into state taxes. After completing my turbo tax forms, it says I still owe 2750. I’m in the tax bracket that should be paying 3500 in state taxes, it makes no sense to me why I’d have to pay over 5000. Did I do something wrong? 

[MaryK4]

Can you clarify if your W-2 has DC or DE in boxes 15-16-17?  

[julia-stanton]

Hi Mary, 

it says DEWH. Last year it just said DE, is that an issue? 

[MaryK4]

No, the DEWH just means Delaware withholding- but did you work in Delaware or did they withhold for Delaware?

[julia-stanton]

I work in DC but it looks like they withhold in Delaware. 

[MaryK4]

Yes, you may want to contact them to make sure it was not DC and if it was DE you can ask them to change it to DC for 2023.  If they did do Delaware taxes, you have to file a Delaware nonresident tax return and report zero wages (since you did not work in Delaware), then you get that refunded.  Then you can file DC as normal.