I have two lines for boxes 18-20, but they have the same locality name. Should I just add them together?

[LenaH]

No, do not add boxes 18-20 together. It usually is best to enter this information as it appears on your W-2. In the W-2 section, you will click on the box for "Add Another Row" underneath the first set of Box 18, 19, and 20 information to add the second set.  Entering your information as it shows on your W-2 reduces the possibility of diagnostic errors.

[strgtefan]

@LenaH I tried to put the second line in that way, but it gave me an error message because they’re the same locality for box 20.

[LenaH]

If you are getting an error message for adding the same locality in Box 20 a second time, then you can add the same locality together on the input of your W-2. 

@strgtefan

[strgtefan]

I was hoping it was that simple but I wanted to ask before I did so. Thank you!

[criswell86]

I am having the same issue as @strgtefan  was last year. I have two entries in boxes 18-20 for the same locality. When I try to wrap up my taxes, it says it's an error and is trying to make me delete one of the rows saying you can only have one entry for one locality. I don't understand what the resolution was here. You initially said not to add the boxes together, but then you said to add the same locality together on the input of your W-2. What does that mean?

[BillM223]

One the face of it, it doesn't make a lot of sense to have the locality listed twice. Is one line right and the other wrong? Did they misspell one? Did they mean for you to add them together?

Since your employer created your W-2 (or the payroll processor working for your employer), you need to ask your employer what they meant by having two lines here. Only your employer would know what they meant by this.

[dSuds]

Hi there, I'm replying to this because I'm having the same issue as @criswell86.

For me, the reason I have the same locality listed twice is because my job is split between remote (at home) and in-office in another city, and my home city has a residence tax for working in a different city. So I actually have three lines in box 20 and the way I under stand it, it breaks down as:

Line 1: office city income tax

Line 2: home city income tax

Line 3: home city residence tax

With lines 2 & 3 having the exact same locality name.

With that additional information, does that allow any insight to get an answer on how to proceed? My inclination is to add the numbers for 2 & 3 together, but I'm just guessing.

[BrittanyS]

Yes, you can add lines 2 and 3 together and enter them as one locality.  If you're getting an error message for the same locality in box 20, you can add the same locality together on the input screen.  As long as you know, there is a valid reason for the employer to list the locality twice, and it was not an error on your employer's behalf.   

@dSuds 

[gt57]

I have the same situation with errors on box 18 - 20 on W-2 enty because of two lines for the same locality.  The entries are legit for reasons I won't go into here.  I found a solution is to open up the form (upper right "Forms" button if using step-b-step).  Scroll down to box 20.  On one of the identical entries, add a space after the name (this won't work on the Step-by-Step as it appears to remove any trailing spaces).  Switch back to Step-by-Step. No more warning message.

 I am not a tax expert by any means and I like to have my entries in Turbo Tax to match exactly as the W-2.  Maybe someone with more knowledge can comment on this work-around.

[tatate01]

So if I have 2 different values in box 19 but the same locality is listed in box 20. I can add the 2 values from box 19 into 1 line? 

[DianeW777]

It depends.  It's best to enter each one individually on your W-2 entry by adding another local section to the W-2.  

Check your last pay check stub for 2023, to see if the combined total has been withheld from your pay.  

Once you confirm the full amount has been withheld, you can add the two locality amounts together if they are the same locality.

It's important to know if they are actually two different taxes such as local wage tax and a different local tax.  

[tatate01]

On my last pay stub of 2023, One amount is listed as TAX, LOC SCH and the other is labeled as TAX, LOC OCC. Both are shown on my W-2 though as 2 different box 19s, but still with the same box 20 locality listed. If I try to do separate entries it still says, “same locality can’t be listed twice.” 

[DMarkM1]

Typically, combining those local taxes into one entry in TurboTax works great.  They are separated because the actual W2s have been sent to the state and federal taxing authorities so they already see what taxes were paid to whom.  The taxpayer, when filing, typically just needs the total number to use if itemizing for the state/local taxes paid deduction.  

Having said that, there are some localities that do have school and/or income tax forms that need to be filed with the state forms to reconcile those taxes paid.  The separated amounts in those cases may be needed on those forms.  Likely in those cases you can combine on the W2 entry and then separate/verify the correct amounts in the state/local interviews. 

To ensure you are not one of those rare cases you might post what state/city/locale you are in and someone may be able to verify for you.   

@tatate01