PA domicile, DC nonresident & income?

[themacmaven]

I reside (own a home) in Pennsylvania.  I started a new job in DC in fall 2024, so for the 2024 tax year I have less than 2 months of DC income to report.  I also signed a short-term lease for a room in DC starting in December 2024, but I only stay there  3 days a week since my job is hybrid and return to PA in between (for 2 remote work days and the weekend).  My employer is withholding PA taxes only.  I am 99% sure I am a nonresident for the 2024 tax year, but want to be sure, and am trying to plan ahead for 2025.

My issue is trying to figure out if I am a nonresident of DC.  According to the D-4A, it seems I qualify, since my "permanent residence is outside DC during all of the tax year and [I] do not reside in DC for 183 days or
more in the tax year." But if I decide to extend my lease in DC through 2025, I am unsure if it will put me under DC's statutory residency clause, which applies to "any individual who maintains a place of abode within the District for an aggregate of 183 days or more during the taxable year, whether or not such individual is domiciled in the District." (emphasis mine)

Also, when I was filing in TurboTax for 2024, I was prompted based on my info to select the option of filing a Nonresident Request for Refund--but since my employer hasn't withheld any DC tax.  When I select "I do not want to file" that form and continue to review/complete my return, I get an error that I am not able to e-file in DC and must mail my return--but the only thing I see when I try to print out my DC return is a worksheet without an attached return.

[MarilynG1]

Yes, you would not be considered a Resident of DC, for 2024, and would not need to file a return there.

If you're using TurboTax Online, clear your Cache and Cookies before returning to the State section.

[Edited 2/10/2025 | 9:06 am]

[themacmaven]

Thanks @MarilynG1!  Just to confirm, this would be for 2025 taxes, correct?  I have already filed my federal and PA returns for 2024--since I was only in DC a total of 15 days in 2024, TurboTax suggested that I file as a nonresident for that tax year.  I'm still trying to figure out how to print and file those forms, but I'll try your suggestion of clearing my browser cache and cookies since I am using TurboTax Online.  The error message I am getting when I try to download my 2024 DC return says:

"We're Having Trouble Printing Your Return.

Sorry for the inconvenience, but Turbo Tax is experiencing a temporary problem printing returns. We're working on the problem and expect to have it fixed shortly. Please try again in a few moments."

I also wanted to clarify what the "DC interview will ask dates in/out" means?  I am (and will likely continue to) go back and forth from PA and DC multiple times a week.  For example, I might be in PA working remotely on Monday, travel down to DC to work in-person Tuesday through Wednesday, and return to PA to work remotely on Friday and stay in PA for the weekend.  Then the following week I may be in DC Monday-Wednesday and in PA Thursday-Sunday.  The help articles you shared give examples with a move-in date for a change in permanent residency, which doesn't really match my situation.

[MarilynG1 · Accepted solution]

Yes, for 2025, you'll need to keep track of days spent in DC; as you mentioned, over 183, you'll need to file as Statutory Resident.

Were you able to print your returns?  

To access your tax return after you've e-filed it or printed it as part of mailing your return to the IRS:

1. Sign in to TurboTax.
2. Select Tax Home from the menu.
3. Scroll down to Your tax returns & documents.
4. Select 2024, and then select Add a State (you're not actually adding a state, this just gets you back in).

You'll now be in your return.

If you can get into your return, did you try Print Center under Tax Tools > Tools in the left-side menu? You may have to scroll down there to see it.  Or were you in the FILE section, using the View/Print/Save option?

Post again if you're still having issues or you can Contact TurboTax Support.

[themacmaven]

@MarilynG1-- thanks again!

I am now having slightly different issues--the directions you gave were great, but I am only seeing a "DC Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Worksheet For Filers Without A Qualifying Child" which is about 2 pages long.  This seems to be for the D-40 (resident) return.  I think it might be here because I was originally confused and started working on the Part-Year Resident forms in TurboTax before realizing I was actually a nonresident in 2024.

TurboTax shows $0 DC tax refund in the State Numbers dropdown, which seems correct.  In the last step before prompting me to file, I was given the option to fill a "D-40B Nonresident Request for Refund" but since I didn't have any DC tax to withheld from my pay, I selected "No, I don't want to file a Nonresident Request for Refund."  Is that maybe what's causing issues here? 

I guess my question is: do I need to file anything in DC at all for 2024 as a nonresident who does not need a refund?  If not, TurboTax already charged me for a DC tax prep when I filed my PA and federal taxes--can I get a refund on that?

[MarilynG1]

No, you don't need to file in DC for 2024.

To delete a state, here's How to Delete a State in TurboTax Desktop and How to Delete a State in TurboTax Online.

Yes, you can get a Refund for a State Return you don't need.

Contact TurboTax Support and choose the option for Billing.

[DeniseTwo]

"For example, I might be in PA working remotely on Monday, travel down to DC to work in-person Tuesday through Wednesday, and return to PA to work remotely on Friday and stay in PA for the weekend."

To answer your question about "days", instead think of them as nights.

The definition of an abode is where you spend the night, so DC is trying to figure out how many nights you are in DC:

Monday you work from home and spend the night at home (doesn't count).

You leave Tuesday morning, work in DC and spend the night (1 day), work in DC Wednesday but return to home to sleep (doesn't count).

If you drive to DC on Thursday to work and spend the night (1 day), work Friday and go out partying with friends and spend the night (another day), stay to sightsee on Saturday and realize it's too late to drive home so you spend one more night in DC (another day).  Finally go home on Sunday to spend the night (doesn't count) and start again for another week.

You would count one day the first part of the week, but you would count 3 days the second half even if you didn't actually work on some of those days.

DC is trying to find people who stay within the city for more than half the year, and require them to pay income taxes.  Many states do this.  You won't get double taxed (your state and DC) because your state usually gives you a credit to the tax you pay to DC.