StateTax Return

[Dorothea1]

My husband worked for a company for a year over 2018 and 2019, they took out NJ state taxes while we live in PA.  Last year Turbo tax did the NJ return wrong and it took me most of the year to get it amended and corrected.  This year they are telling me not to file in NJ at all.  His wages are low for the short time he worked....7100.00 and the tax is only 120.00.  In PA we are getting a full refund of PA taxes because of tax Forgiveness.  Why would they not have me file a NJ return to get the 120.00 refund?  

[JotikaT2 · Accepted solution]

It depends.

As this is a public forum, we cannot see your tax return.

However, if your husband had taxes withheld,  you should file a tax return if you are due a refund. 

The threshold for filing a tax return in New Jersey is $20,000 if you are filing jointly.  If your income is below this amount, it may explain why you are being told you don't need to file.

See the chart below for New Jersey filing requirements.

[fanfare]

Where is this company? Does he commute into NJ every day ?

[Dorothea1]

The company is based in Florida but there was an office that he worked out of as a sales rep in NJ.  They messed up and took NJ tax instread of PA.  Our return last year was a mess too and finally got figured out but we had to file in NJ too per turbo tax but this year they are not telling me too online.  So glad he is not with them anymore.

[Dorothea1]

Thank you for your response.  Our Total income for everywhere is over 20,000 based on our federal return but for the PA state return our taxable income is only 12,697 so our liability is 390, we paid in 162 and for the first time(bad year last year) we are eligible for tax forgiveness of 390 and getting a refund of 162 from PA for what we paid in.   Would this be why they are telling me not to file in NJ?  I don't have an issue filing in NJ, since as I stated his income is only 7,100 with tax withheld of 120.  I think I will just file a paper return because of I file through turbo tax they want 44.99 to purchase the state return and e-file.  I can file the paper for free.  

Is my logic correct??  Thanks again for your assistance!!

[fanfare]

you file a non-resident return for New Jersey.

Since you had no New Jersey Income you won't be taxed, instead you would get a refund of that withholding.

If you are going to do it manually, review the NJ 1040 NR Instructions, Page 4, first.