I have 2 incomes from 2 different states, CA and MI. I currently live in CA. I have a very high refund for CA but a very large payment for MI - does anyone know why?

[joehuang37]

(wondering if the state tax withheld is actually ALL being held by CA - in which case this makes sense since MI state has not collected ANY state tax and CA had collected TOO MUCH tax.)

[DawnC]

Yes, that is probably what has occurred.   You owe tax to MI, but CA is giving you a tax credit for those taxes you are paying to MI.   Your resident state taxes all of your income, but gives you credit for tax you have to pay to another state.    You can see on your tax forms, which states withheld which state taxes.