Cannot proceed with only box 16 and 17 but no box 15 on W-2

I have a 2020 W-2 where boxes 16 and 17 are filled in, but there is no state code or employer state ID number. Since I live and work in WA where there is no state income tax, box 17 shows $0 for state income tax. But TurboTax won't let me proceed with boxes 16 and 17 having values and box 15 being blank. I have to delete the information in box 16 and 17 to proceed, but I worry that this may count against me as a deliberate omission of information (i.e. if I'm flagged for an audit). The tax form itself does include a nonzero value for state wages, so I at least don't want to omit what's clearly on the form. Or do they not even care about the state section for federal income tax filings?

120

Expert Alumni

Mar 15, 2021 5:20:20 AM

Box 15 represents your state. Since you live and work in WA simply enter WA into box 15.

You may not need a state ID number. If you do you can use the tax ID from your company that issued the W-2.

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Cannot proceed with only box 16 and 17 but no box 15 on W-2