Tax Year Prior to 2020: State wages not equal to California Wages on Form W-2

[DD32]

The following error message prevents me from filing: Form 540NR Line 12- State Wages does not equal the sum of California wages entered on the Form W-2 Worksheets, Box 16. I was not employed in 2018 and did not receive any W-2's How can I fix this error?

[DoninGA]

See the answer on your prior message for the same subject here - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/get-started-in-community/help/california-form-540nr/01/860940

[WKins2]

If you did not receive any W-2;s you need to remove them from the program, When you use TurboTax in 2018 and then sgain in 2018, the information from 2018 is transferred to 2019. To delete the W-2's out of the program:

In the program, on the left side of the screen click Tax Tools>Tools>Delete a form. Here you will see W-2's list, delete them off and this should fix the problem 

[rangermom]

I'm getting the same error message in 2021.  I'm retired and didn't have a W-2 in 2020 or 2021.  There is no W-2 listed on the forms on the left-hand side under tools, forms.  How do I get rid of this error message?

[AkinaLO]

You can remove any W2s from your tax return by following the instructions below.

How do I delete a W-2? - Intuit

@rangermom

[rangermom]

That's my problem.  There is no W-2 on my federal return or listed as a form because I have no W-2.  California return is saying my California W-2 amount doesn't match the total California wages from Federal Form W-2, box 16.  There is no Federal Form W-2 in my return.  

[DanaB27]

It would be helpful to have a TurboTax ".tax2021" file that is experiencing this issue. You can send us a “diagnostic” file that has your “numbers” but not your personal information. If you would like to do this, here are the instructions if you are using TurboTax online: 

1. From the left menu select Tax Tools. 
2. Then select Tools below Tax Tools. 
3. A window will pop up which says Tools Center.  
4. On this screen, select Share my file with Agent. 
5. You will see a message explaining what the diagnostic copy is. Click okay through this screen and then you will get a Token number. 
6. Reply to this thread with your Token number. This will allow us to open a copy of your return without seeing any personal information.  

We will then be able to see exactly what you are seeing and we can determine what exactly is going on in your return and provide you with a resolution.

If you are using TurboTax Desktop then please see these instructions:

1. On your menu bar at the very top, click "Online"
2. Select "Send Tax File to Agent"
3. Click "Send"
4. The pop-up will have a token number
5. Reply to this thread with your Token number. This will allow us to open a copy of your return without seeing any personal information.  

[rangermom]

936521

[DanaB27]

Thank you I reviewed your file. 

Please try to delete the 0 in the Line 12 State Wages when you are on the error screen so it is a blank field. This should take care of the error.

[rangermom]

this worked.  Thanks.

[buzzandjudith]

California return indicates that W-2 wages do not agree with Federal.  We do not have any W-2s and indicated this in Federal return.  How do I fix this so we can E-mail our returns?

[DanaB27]

To clarify, when you tried above instructions to delete the $0 and leave the field blank that did not solve your issue?

@buzzandjudith

[buzzandjudith]

Thanks, it finally worked and our state return has been E-filed.  I have sent some complaint messages that you can ignore.  However I do not think this issue should have caused me the time and grief that it did.  I would not use TurboTax next year unless I can be assured that it will work.

[riojaonly]

I had same issue.  You have to clear it out in input box not the form....well that is how it finally worked for me.  My mom is 40 yr CA resident and retired for 15 yrs. No change in her tax status in a decade.  This had never happen before.  Frustrating.