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Level 2
January 29, 2021
Question

state tax source

  • January 29, 2021
  • 1 reply
  • 1 view

I travel for work, and my company is in Florida, so my income is paid from Florida. Do I pay taxes in the states I worked in even though my income is from Florida.

    1 reply

    Hal_Al
    Level 15
    Level 15
    January 29, 2021

    Yes, but "nobody" does. See http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/28/pf/taxes/business-traveler-tax-threat/  If you live in a state without an income tax (e.g. FL ), it’s more likely you should file in the work states. You can't use the "it all comes out even" rationale for not filing.

    thejoe04Author
    Level 2
    January 29, 2021

    Thank you. That’s what I thought, but when I asked my company they said they couldn’t give me personal tax advice and then I asked them for a corrected W-2 and they said to Adjust my W4 online but that would only account for this year not last year so I’m just trying to make sure I’m doing the right thing. It’s been kind of a hassle. From What I can tell I need to pay taxes to the states in which I worked in on the money that I earned while I worked in those states, but unfortunately TurboTax software is hitting a few glitches for some reason which is causing me to pay taxes on my full income in Alabama when I only earned about a third of it there. That’s why I am asking for corrected W-2. I think that will resolve the issue. If you have any other pointers or tips I definitely appreciate them. Thanks again for your help and have a great day. 

    Alumni - Champ
    January 29, 2021

    I assume you're a resident of Florida.

    Basically the rule is that you have to pay income tax to states you physically worked in if (1) that state has an income tax; and (2) your income in that state exceeds its filing threshold for non-residents.  You can find each state's filing threshold on its tax website.

    The rules are different if you travel because you work in interstate commerce - for example the trucking, airline, or railroad industry.  The general rule there (there are exceptions) is that if your job involves travel to or through several states, you only pay state taxes to the state in which you reside.

    **Answers are correct to the best of my ability but do not constitute tax or legal advice.