Multiple State Returns - Help!

[akadoodle]

I reside full-time in NC (going on 3 years) and have earned income from employers in NC, KY and SC during 2024. I have no idea where to begin when it comes to filing state taxes. Because my income is so small I will qualify for free federal filing through the NC Dept. of Revenue. I'm not certain if this also extends to NC state taxes but can't imagine it would allow for multiple states. What's the best way to handle multiple state taxes?

[SteamTrain]

@akadoodle 

W-2 work you physically performed in KY and SC....Correct?

IF so, you probably won't be able to use the IRS direct file forms for Fed and NC, because, in order to get an NC credit for taxes you paid/owed to KY and SC, you would have to prepare and file for both those other states using the same procedure.

We really can't know if you qualify for TTX Free-Edition forms or not, because it really depends on what other forms you need, even if you had low income for the year.

You could certainly start up using the TTX Free Edition (  Free Tax Filing: File Federal & State Taxes with TurboTax® Free Edition )  BUT, if certain other extended forms are needed, you might be forced to upgrade to a higher paid version.

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Make sure, AFTER you've entered virtually everything in the Federal section, do the KY and SC non-resident interviews & forms first, before starting the NC interview. 

In any case, don't even think about starting the State sections until ALL your income has been entered...no sooner than the end of January, or after you get all of your W-forms...whichever is LATER.

Good Luck

[akadoodle]

Hi @SteamTrain - 

Thanks for the reply. All work completed for employers located in SC and KY were done remotely while I was physically in NC (where I am a legal FT resident.) NC work was done while I was physically in NC. Does this change things? I'm really trying to avoid having to pay a tax professional.....

Best,

akadoodle

[SteamTrain]

@akadoodle 

OK, since you never physically worked in SC or KY, the employers "should not" have recorded those wages as either SC or KY income.   Thus, all should be just NC taxable income.    The only situation you might get into is if the employer reports as KY or SC income and withheld KY or SC taxes, in which case you'd have to file KY and/or SC nonresident tax returns to get those withholding $$ returned.

But you won't know for sure until you get your W-2 forms in mid-late January.