IHSS -- #15 on W2 Shows a Zero Instead of A State ID#

[M3Marty]

Hello There,

I am doing my taxes via Turbo Tax and I am at the finish line of completion, except now it is wanting a Employer's State ID# and there is a Zero (0) for that number, which Turbo Tax rejects.
All there is on the W2 is the EIN#

What to do from here. Thanks in advance 🙂

[MarilynG1]

Leave that EIN number off in your W-2 entry in TurboTax.

Boxes 15-20 can be blank.

Here's info on Reporting IHSS Income for EIC.

[M3Marty · Accepted solution]

So here is the deal for everyone who loaded their IHSS via a PDF or put the Zero (0) on line #15. The Turbo tax 2023 will find this as an error and bring you back to the Form for correction.

BEST WAY TO HANDLE:

1) You can either remove the W2 and start over - This time do not put anything from Line 15 thru 20

2) Save the W2 and now you can e-file your taxes

OR

1) Go to Forms view and do the following:

a) Manually remove the State on Line #15 i.e.  CA

b) Remove the Zero (0) on Line #15

c) Save the W2

d) Continue or move to the end if you were finished 

Theoretically should do the same as removing the form and leaving out Lines 15 thru 20

Best option is to remove the form, but totally up to you.

** Also to note that at least in California, we were told that for the 2024 tax year you should not get a W-2 because the money's are TAX-FREE. 

If you do get a W-2 For IHSS and line #1 is Zero, the Turbo Tax associate that assisted me said that you DO NOT HAVE TO INCLUDE THAT W-2, as there is nothing to report.

Hope this helps anyone struggling in this area of their W-2 for IHSS

[Aqua4fun]

Hi, Thank you for the answer to box 15 being blank! Next question is regarding the California IHSS pay is not taxable in California- Is this why there is no federal income tax withheld? My husband has been working as an IHSS worker and it has puzzled me that no federal taxes were withheld,

Thank you for your assistance in learning,

Lisa Rose 

[AmyC]

IHSS pay can be taxed and credit claimed on the federal level or it can be excluded from income. If it is excluded, there is no tax so none needs to be withheld. You get to pick which is better for your family. The IRS defines  earned income . You can use IHSS income for child tax credit and earned income credit, if you qualify. 

If you choose to exclude the income, select it is nontaxable after entry.

See  How do I enter my tax-exempt Medicaid waiver payments from IHSS in TurboTax?