I live ihss provider for my parents. received 2 w-2 same EIN number system does not recognize and does not allow me to file please help

[SharonD007]

We'd love to help you complete your tax return, but need more information. Can you please clarify your question? Do both of your W2s with the same EINs have different numbers in all of the boxes?  What error are you receiving?

[andyvu2002]

Hello  I have 2 w-2 same EIN number but different dollar amount in box #14  CA-SDI

other than that all box show $0

smart check ( we found more than one w-2 with the same information delete any duplicate entries before moving on to avoid errors on your tax return)

thank you 

[MonikaK1]

Do you have multiple Forms W-2 for providing IHSS services (e.g. for each parent), that are issued under the same Employer ID number?

If so, you can add the Box 14 amounts together and just enter one W-2; delete the other one. You can only have one W-2 with an employer's EIN.

If the IHSS payments you received qualified as "difficulty of care" payments as explained in IRS Notice 2014-7, they may be excluded from income. 

If your Form W-2 doesn't include any dollar amount in Box 1, and the payments meet the criteria for exclusion, then you don't have to enter the W-2 on your return at all.

You may choose to include all (or none), but not part, of these payments in earned income for determining the EIC or the ACTC, if these payments are otherwise earned income (wages or income from self-employment).

See here for questions and answers from the IRS on this topic.

Many Forms W-2 issued for IHSS - IRS Notice 2014-7 income now show zero in Box 1, to indicate that it isn't subject to Federal income tax, but show the entire amount of wages paid in Box 3, Social Security wages. If you have an amount in Box 3, and you might qualify for Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, follow the instructions in this help article, which were recently updated:

1. Sign in to TurboTax and open your return.
2. Select Search, enter w-2, and select Jump to w-2.
3. Enter all your W-2 info as shown on your form, except Box 1 (this is assuming that the W-2 Box 1 is blank or zero).
4. Enter the amount reported in box 3 of your W-2 in Box 1.
5. On the Let’s check for uncommon situations screen, select the box next to Nontaxable Medicaid waiver payments that qualify as difficulty of care payments.
6. Enter the amount of Medicaid waiver payments into the difficulty of care payment you received from IHHS box.
   • This is the same amount reported in boxes 3 and 5 of your W-2.
   • Your payments are nontaxable, but TurboTax uses this number to calculate credits you may qualify for.
7. When you get to the Earned Income Credit section in Deductions and Credits, we’ll ask if you want to add your Medicaid waiver payment to your income for this credit. You can answer based on what benefits you most.

If you follow these steps, you are entering income and then backing out the income, so that it isn't backed out twice, and so that you are not entering a zero in Box 1 which may prevent e-filing.

[andyvu2002]

thank you so much for your help,

what about another option

can I enter $1 on box# 1 my dad w-2

and $2 on box# 1 my mom w-2

since both W-2 showed $0 from box 1 thru box 6

then the error message will disappear since they are not duplicates any more

[andyvu2002]

thank you so much for your help,

what about another option

can I enter $1 on box# 1 my dad w-2

and $2 on box# 1 my mom w-2

since both W-2 showed $0 from box 1 thru box 6

then the error message will disappear since they are not duplicates any more

if I enter $0 then they don't allow me to e-file by doing this I can e file without mailing it in

[andyvu2002]

for your information my parents W-2 all the boxes from 1 -13 show $0

only box # 14 shows $ amount for CASDI

Can i combine both w-2 add the Box 14 together per your instruction

But on the Box #1, can I add $1   so the system will allow me to e file? 

 Form W-2 doesn't include any dollar amount in Box 1, am I qualify for exclusion.  is there a way to find out 

(the payments meet the criteria for exclusion, then you don't have to enter the W-2 on your return at all)

[MonikaK1 · Accepted solution]

You would only add W-2s together if they both have the same Employer ID Number in Box b.

If there is no amount in any of Boxes 1 through 6, and you don't expect to otherwise qualify for Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, then you don't have to enter the W-2s at all.

If entering the W-2s could qualify you for the Earned Income Credit, and you know how much gross wages you received, then put that amount in Box 1 and then follow the steps in this help article to back out the income from taxable income only except as noted in bold:

1. Select Search, enter w-2, and select Jump to w-2.
2. Enter all your W-2 info as shown on your form, except Box 1 (this is assuming that the W-2 Box 1 is blank or zero).
3. Enter the amount reported in box 3 of your W-2 in Box 1. In your situation, since you have zero in box 3, enter the actual amount of gross wages received.
4. On the Let’s check for uncommon situations screen, select the box next to Nontaxable Medicaid waiver payments that qualify as difficulty of care payments.
5. Enter the amount of Medicaid waiver payments into the difficulty of care payment you received from IHHS box.
   • This is the same amount reported in boxes 3 and 5 of your W-2 or the actual wages received if you have zero in boxes 3 and 5.
   • Your payments are nontaxable, but TurboTax uses this number to calculate credits you may qualify for.
6. When you get to the Earned Income Credit section in Deductions and Credits, we’ll ask if you want to add your Medicaid waiver payment to your income for this credit. You can answer based on what benefits you most.

If you follow these steps, you are entering income and then backing out the income, so that it isn't backed out twice, and so that you are not entering a zero in Box 1 which may prevent e-filing.