Lived and worked in CA for full year in 2024 but got some W2 wage in 2024 from my previous (in or before 2023) employer in NJ

[noviceattax]

Dear Experts,

In 2024 my previous employer (in or before 2023) who was based in NJ paid me some W2-wage for some work done when I was employed by them in or before 2023. In 2024 I lived and worked for a different employer. My previous employer has withheld taxes for both CA and NJ.

Note: I am using TurboTax for CA taxes only and filing NJ1040NR paper manually.

I have the following questions. I have put them in a structured and easy to follow format. Please feel free to ask for clarification :

1. Do I pay taxes to both CA and NJ for the NJ based income received in 2024 for work done in previous years?
   1. If yes to Q1, do I get tax credit from CA for the taxes paid to NJ?
      1. If yes to Q1.A, how do I report this on TurboTax so that the credit is applied in my CA tax? Remember, I am not using TurboTax for my NJ return.
      2. If no to Q1.A, do I get credit from NJ on the tax paid to CA?
   2. If no to Q1, to which state will I pay tax on this income?
      1.  If to NJ only then how do I report this W2 income to TurboTax so that my CA return is adjusted accordingly. Right no TurboTax is including this income in my CA return as taxable income.

[MaryK4]

You will have to pay nonresident tax to New Jersey.  You can claim the credit for the taxes paid to New Jersey- look for it in TurboTax (if you did you TurboTax it would populate automatically but you will have to enter it from the list of California Credits.)  If you have the completed NJ return, you should be able to plug them right in.

[noviceattax]

@MaryK4 ,

Thanks for the clear response. Also, do you know in how do I enter the NJ credit amount in TurboTax so that it gets applied to my CA return that I am preparing with TurboTax.

Alternatively, in what schedule/form do I enter the NJ tax credit in California taxes? Do I need to attach some proofs for that?

[MaryK4]

From the California taxes are ready for us to check, Edit Credit and Taxes- then look for Other State Tax Credit.  If you have questions, going through the section, please ask!  @noviceattax