I live in New Jersey and work remotely for a company located in Massachusetts; I received a New Jersey and a New York W2 for 2020?

[rrh987654321]

Hi folks,

I have lived all year as a permanent resident of New Jersey,  working for a company in Boston, MA.

I have received two state W2s, one with `NJ` as the value in box 15, one with `NY` as the value in box 15. My FEDERAL w2 lists both New York and New Jersey in box 15.

Almost every other box is identical on the three forms, with the exception of Box 16 is just slightly different between the two STATE w2s  (For the NJ W2, the value for box 16 is slightly higher than box 1).

I don't work in New York, not even in a remote capacity. I don't travel to New York. The company I work for has a Boston address; their parent company has a Chicago address. 

Is there something about NJ x NY I don't understand that merits receiving a w2 for each state even though I have 0 relationship with New York in any way? Or is this a significant error on my employer's part that necessities  action by them? If so what is that action that needs to occur– a corrected W2?

Thank you very much in advance for any assistance anyone is able to provide! I appreciate it immensely. 

Best,
Rich

[ErnieS0 · Accepted solution]

Your W-2 suggests your employer considers New York to be your “work site.”

New Jersey taxes all income received by permanent residents, regardless of where it was earned, so your W-2 should include NJ information on Boxes 15-20.

NY would only be included if NY was your work location, either because you are physically present there or telecommuting for your own convenience. 

Check with your employer about why they are reporting NY wages. Are you working for a division of the company or reporting to a boss based in New York? If your employer agrees that you should not have any NY income, then they should issue you a corrected W-2.

Box 16 State wages is generally higher for NJ because the Garden State taxes some benefits that are not taxed by NY.