W-2 Box 15 TOTAL STATE

[jsandrich]

I start working in 2020 (I only have this job) for a very large company. I am a resident  of NJ.  and on Box C employer address also shows NJ employer.  But, somehow I got 2 W-2, one NY and one NJ

First W-2 (NY); shows  on Fed filing copy portion  has a "TOTAL STATE" on box 15 (employer's state ID) and  box 16 is empty  and box 17 shows state income tax amount been paid .  But, on NY state reference and filing  portion all  3 (15,16,17) boxes have values

On  the second copy for the NJ, it only has NJ state Filing copy; on Box 15 has NJ and employer's state  ID NO (same as NY one but with additional /000 to the end), it shows taxable wages but NO tax withholding at all (box 17), while Box 16 do have a value

Any idea why is this  and do I need  file tax return on both States?

[Mike9241]

if your employer had an office in NY and you worked in that office you would likely owe NY state income taxes for the wages you received while working there.   in addition, your total wages would be taxable in NJ with you getting a credit for the taxes paid to NY. if this is not the case it would seem your w-2 as far as state filings go is messed up.  in that case, contact your employer.   

[jsandrich]

Thank you for your response.

As a matter of fact, I do work in a facility in NY but due to the pandemic since last March, I only went to the NY facility handful of time while most of time I'm WFH.  Do I  prorate the days between NY and NJ (only like less than 10 days went to the NY facility) when I file state for both on the return ?

[AmyC]

Yes, hopefully your NY W2 is accurate for the days worked in NY, that would be the easiest. Be sure to complete your NY before doing your NJ return in order to correctly capture the credit for tax paid to NY on the NJ return.