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Level 1
posted Mar 14, 2022 6:40:44 PM

Box 16 on my W-2 shows the same amount for both states. Does this mean my income is reported as double?

Here's a fictitious example. I earned 1,000 total, but my W-2 looks like this:

Box 15: state     Box 16: 1000      Box 17: state income tax
Box 15: different state     Box 16: 1000      Box 17: different state income tax

Since both box 16's are reporting $1,000 does this mistakenly indicate that I earned $2,000 instead of $1,000?

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1 Replies
Expert Alumni
Mar 14, 2022 7:11:52 PM

No, it is not saying your earned "$2,000.  It is reporting the same $1,000 as taxable by two states.  If you earned wages in a state other than your state of residence, the income is taxable by the state where it was earned.  The state which you are a resident will tax 100% of your earnings, regardless of where earned.  However, they will give you a credit for tax paid to other states so you are not subject to double taxation at the state level.  When you start your state returns, prepare your non-resident state return first.