I live and work in Florida and received 2 W2's. One has wages reported in box 16, the other doesn't. What are the implications of having wages there when we have no SIT?

[sharpeta6]

I'm trying to figure out if it's a big enough deal to go to my employer and have them correct the W2 to remove the wages in box 16.

[Carl]

What state is reflected in box 15? Can't be FL, since FL doesn't tax income.

[n0h8]

I have the same, state income tax but shows FL in box 15.

[Carl]

So long as none of your W-2's show an amount in box 17 or box 19, just leave boxes 15-20 blank in the program. Don't even enter a space in any of those boxes. FL has never taxed personal income.

[bwa · Accepted solution]

Because FL doesn't have an individual income tax, it makes no difference at all.

[IHaveABigQuestion]

Nothing in W-2 box 17 and 18 but need more detail about same question. Since there is no FL state income tax, I just want to check if the Turbo Tax or IRS system will flag an error if we do enter the state information in box 15 (FL) and box 16 (state wages) ?  I'm trying to determine if it is better to enter it exactly as the W2 says with the information in box 15 & 16 in order to not trigger an error...or if it is better to do as mentioned here and leave those boxes empty to avoid triggering an error. Or if it matters either way! 

[BillM223]

This is an exception. We often say, "Enter the W-2 exactly as printed"...except in cases like this where you would confuse TurboTax (and, frankly, other tax software) by making entries implying that the employer withheld income tax, when they state had no individual income tax for which to withhold.

If box 17 is empty, then don't enter boxes 15 and 16, even if there is data in those boxes on the W-2.

@IHaveABigQuestion

[sam55kar]

Although I think this may be a temporary remedy to file the Turbo Tax return without triggering an error on Turbo Tax, it is nonetheless an error on the part of the W-2 preparer. The preparer should have left box 15, 16 and 17 blank when the employee lives and work in Florida. 

The tax implications whether the IRS program will trigger an error message are unknown. Although there should not be momentary consequences. 

The bottom line is that the W-2 was prepared incorrectly and any responsible employer/prepare should file a corrected W-2c form. This will prevent continuing the same error for years to come, especially if non qualified deferred compensation is payable over many years.