Hello, my State Return keeps getting rejected but I am unable to find how to fix it. It doesn't take me back to Box 18 to fix this. Can I get a refund on my order?

[LeticiaF1]

If your state's rejection is due to a mismatch in Box 18 of the W2. Try using the amount in Box 5/Medicare wages and tips for Box 18/Local wages. For Box 20 Locality name, enter the primary local tax location name.   

Please let us know if your problem continues.  

[paulkeskeys]

Turbo Tax has rejected our state tax return because it says there is an incorrect number entered in Box 18 (Local wages, tips etc.). The W2 in question has two numbers in this box, split by a dotted line; I only worked in one location for the year so I'm not sure why there are two numbers.

We have tried submitting the state tax return with both numbers and also tried adding the numbers together, and it's been rejected all three times. What can we do here?

[CatinaT1]

Do you have anything in box 19? Box 19 is for local tax withholdings. If there is nothing in box 19, you do not need anything in box 18 or 20. Delete (including spaces) in box 18-20 and you should be able to successfully efile.

[paulkeskeys]

There is a number in box 19 but only in the lower half (below the dotted line). I've tried submitting the corresponding box 18 number (that lines up with the one in 19) but that got rejected. Any ideas? Thank you for your help!

[MarilynG1]

If you have an amount in Box 19 (for local wages), then you need a Locality Name in Box 20, and local wages in Box 18.  It sounds like your W-2 with an amount in Box 19 (lower half), should also have an amount in Box 18 (lower half) and a Locality Name in Box 20 (lower half).

TurboTax only files some local returns; you may need to file a local return yourself if that applies.  Here's more info on City Tax Returns.

@paulkeskeys 

[paulkeskeys]

Thank you for your reply. I'm afraid I am still confused - here is the full info we have:

Box 15 (Upper): NY
Box 15 (Lower): Blank

Box 16 (Upper): Total earnings (equals Box 1)
Box 16 (Lower): Blank

Box 17 (Upper): Some money
Box 17 (Lower): Blank

Box 18 (Upper): Some money
Box 18 (Lower): Some money

Box 19 (Upper): Blank
Box 19 (Lower): Some money

Box 20 (Upper): City
Box 20 (Lower): NY CIT

Since I worked in New York City for 100% of the year for this job, I don't understand why this is split up in this way, and I also can't distinguish between "City" and "NY CIT". There is only one option available that makes sense for box 20, which is New York City (I didn't work in Yonkers).

If I try to add an additional locality and fill it in for the lower parts of these boxes, it is rejected since Box 15 (lower) cannot be left blank, and if I select NY for it, it rejects it as a duplicate.

Is it possible my employer has incorrectly input something that has generated an erroneous W2?

[AmyC]

So federal and state wages make sense - the city makes no sense. If you know that all of it was earned in NYC and you have paystubs to show what you earned in NYC, go with what you know you can prove.

Change the w2 in the program: 

1. box 18 is local wages. Those should add up to your total wages earned - presumably all in NYC so add them together or enter your total wages for the top line of box 18.
2. box 19 is local tax - again, if all in NYC, add it together and put one total on line 19 top line
3. box 20 - locality name - if all NYC, then just NYC in the top box.
4. bottom boxes are all blank.

Good to go

Verify with your paystubs that this was all earned in NYC or if you know you go to one office every day, no question, then you are set.

@paulkeskeys 

[paulkeskeys]

Hi there, thanks so much for your reply. I filed an extension with NY to give more time to resolve this issue.

My employer sent a corrected W2 (in the shape of a W2-c form) and I went back in and revised the information in boxes 15-20 to reflect the corrected information, and attempted to refile.

Unfortunately Turbo Tax still rejected it citing a 'data mismatch'. Is there anything else I can do to file electronically, or do I need to resort to mail filing?

If filing by mail, I would appreciate any advice - for example, do I mail both the W2 and the W2-c? I've never filed by mail before (been filing with no problem through TurboTax for 8+ years), so am anxious to get this right so we can receive our refund (TurboTax tells me we are owed $1200 for state taxes).

Thank you in advance for your help!