Part-year resident for state returns, but earned no income in new state.

[ahoward31]

I moved from NY to GA but didn't work in GA in 2016. How do I answer the questions about interest income that apply to the whole year, and not one particular state? (Same with tuition deductions - I went to school all year; do I split it?) Do I need to fill out a Georgia state return if I earned no income there?

[DexterS]

It depends on what you are doing.

If you moved to GA to go to school, that's considered a "temporary absence".  It does not affect your NY residency.

You would not file a GA tax return unless you earned income.

If your intent is to move to GA permanently, then you have to file two Part-year Resident tax returns, splitting the income and expenses between the two states based upon the date you changed your residence.

[ahoward31]

Thank you! It's actually kind of both. Georgia is my new permanent residence, but I am still job-hunting and have earned no income. Does that mean two part-year returns, but with no income to report?

[DexterS]

No, if you've earned no income since you moved to GA you have no filing requirement.