2185491
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Announcements
Close icon
Do you have a TurboTax Online account?

We'll help you get started or pick up where you left off.

GA resident working remotely for NC company - issue with W2 in TurboTax

Hello,

 

I have an interesting situation that I would like an opinion on, if someone wants to chime in.

 

I live in Georgia and do remote work on a side (website design, etc) for a LLC company located in North Carolina. On W2. It's not a lot of money, but I am on a payroll there. 

 

When they sent a W2 for 2020 to me they included the state (GA) and the amount ($5300) in the state portion of the form (fields 15 and 16), but did not include GA state ID number (since they do not have it). Their accountant told them that they don't need it.

They did not withdraw any state or federal taxes from my wages (which is not an issue, I will pay whatever I owe). I will probably not owe any state taxes anyway due to the low wages on this W2.

 

The way I understand this issue (from what I've read - it seems to be a common problem in the pandemic world) is that I should be filing taxes for this in GA because the work is done in GA (that part is correct), and they should have GA state ID because they have an employee in GA, even if the business is located in NC. However their accountant told them otherwise.  

 

When I try to file the taxes (using TurboTax desktop) an error comes on on the federal portion Smart Check - "Form W2: Box 15 employer ID must be entered". So my question is: can I file the return even though the state ID fields is missing? Will that cause an issue with my return later on?

 

Thank you.

 

 

x
Do you have an Intuit account?

Do you have an Intuit account?

You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.

10 Replies
ThomasM125
Expert Alumni

GA resident working remotely for NC company - issue with W2 in TurboTax

Box 15 on a W-2 is where you enter the state abbreviation, which would be "GA" for Georgia, in this instance. You should enter that in TurboTax for box 15 even if it is not entered on your W-2 form, as the wages do belong in Georgia, since that is where you are working.

 

 

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

GA resident working remotely for NC company - issue with W2 in TurboTax

Hi there. 
Thanks for your response. 

I think you misunderstood my issue. 
The fields 15 and 16 are filled out. The problem TurboTax has is that the field 15 is missing Georgie state ID, which my employer doesn’t have. The “GA” in 15 doesn’t seem to be enough.

 

This is however how my employer filed my W2 with IRS, since TurboTax downloaded the W2, I didn’t enter it manually. So maybe it’s OK to file my return despite the missing state ID coming up as an error? 

GA resident working remotely for NC company - issue with W2 in TurboTax


@george_d wrote:

Hi there. 
Thanks for your response. 

I think you misunderstood my issue. 
The fields 15 and 16 are filled out. The problem TurboTax has is that the field 15 is missing Georgie state ID, which my employer doesn’t have. The “GA” in 15 doesn’t seem to be enough.

 

This is however how my employer filed my W2 with IRS, since TurboTax downloaded the W2, I didn’t enter it manually. So maybe it’s OK to file my return despite the missing state ID coming up as an error? 


If there is no amount of state taxes withheld in box 17 then leave boxes 15 thru 17 blank on the W-2

ToddL99
Expert Alumni

GA resident working remotely for NC company - issue with W2 in TurboTax

You can absolutely file your tax return without the GA Employer ID number, but the program may not let you e-file.

 

Here is a discussion from @GeoffreyG that covers this issue and offers some simple work-arounds:

 

"If you have no separate state business identification number on your W-2 form, then just try using your employer's federal employer identification number (EIN) again in Box 15.  That will look basically look something like the following format:  73-1234567.  Your state should be able to match your W-2 to your employer's reported wage information using the federal number (if necessary).

 

This should then allow you to e-file and get around any TurboTax program "error" messages, by inputting something (a value) into the field.  If you try that approach but still encounter problems, then try entering some variation on a "nonsense" value such as 55555 55555 (with a space between), or a series of consecutive zeros or integers.

 

If you want to go to the trouble, you could also just wait and ask your employer's payroll or human resources office.  They should have this information on file.

 

In any event, the IRS computers, and your state department of revenue, really should not care, as they're really just looking for the Federal EIN, employee Social Security Number, and relevant wage data.  The State ID is mainly a bureaucratic convenience for your state In other words, this single issue should not affect the processing of your tax return.

 

If this blockage prevents you from e-filing, you can't get around it, and you cannot obtain a state ID number from your employer, then you always have the "back up" option of paper-filing a traditional tax return.

 

 

GA resident working remotely for NC company - issue with W2 in TurboTax

No state taxes withheld, that is correct. But when I delete what is in boxes 15 > 17, I get an error. See attached. Possibly because TB knows the boxes were filled out when filed by employer? It seems wring to delete that info.

 

 

Screen Shot 2021-04-10 at 12.04.14 PM.jpg

GA resident working remotely for NC company - issue with W2 in TurboTax

Interesting. I will try using the federal ID. Hopefully it won't raise any flags. Will report back. Thanks.

GA resident working remotely for NC company - issue with W2 in TurboTax


@george_d wrote:

No state taxes withheld, that is correct. But when I delete what is in boxes 15 > 17, I get an error. See attached. Possibly because TB knows the boxes were filled out when filed by employer? It seems wring to delete that info.

 

 

Screen Shot 2021-04-10 at 12.04.14 PM.jpg


 

 

What happens if you select No?

GA resident working remotely for NC company - issue with W2 in TurboTax

It lets me continue with boxes 15 - 17 empty. But that's just wrong since it clearly states that is there are wages in box 16 I should not leave it empty.

GA resident working remotely for NC company - issue with W2 in TurboTax


@george_d wrote:

It lets me continue with boxes 15 - 17 empty. But that's just wrong since it clearly states that is there are wages in box 16 I should not leave it empty.


Since no state taxes were withheld the wages are not relevant on the W-2.   Georgia income reported on the state tax return begins with the Federal Adjusted Gross Income so the income received while working in NC will be included in the AGI on the Georgia return.

GA resident working remotely for NC company - issue with W2 in TurboTax

Makes sense. Thanks. 

Unlock tailored help options in your account.

message box icon

Get more help

Ask questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.

Post your Question