My employer did not take out state tax from my paychecks but Turbo Tax says I do now owe anything to the state. How?

[kaitfinan]

I worked in the state of California and my employer told me they would not take state tax out of my paycheck and I would owe it at the end of the year. I entered the information on my W2, boxes 15-20 were blank so I did not type anything in on the website. However, Turbo Tax is saying I owe $0 to the state of California. How is this possible? I made ~$24,000.

[KathrynG3]

It depends on your filing status and number of dependents. Check the 2019 California Form 540 Tax Booklet page 3 under Do I have to file?  to confirm the calculation of -0- tax due.

@kaitfinan

[kaitfinan]

@KathrynG3 - thank you for quickly pointing me to that document! I looked at page 3 and according to that table, I should have to file. I am single and have 0 dependents, and made more than the amount specified to not file. 

When I entered the W2 info, Turbo Tax asked to confirm that boxes 15-20 were blank and I said yes. I thought the tax I was supposed to owe would be automatically calculated. Maybe I need to recheck my info.

Thank you VERY MUCH for your help 🙂

[KathrynG3]

You're welcome! In this case, you may want to open Box 15-20 and enter CA to identify the state if the forms you need are not being generated.

@kaitfinan