Not being asked if a w-2 is from a state or local government

[AnnLL]

My husband's W-2 is from our local county government. After I enter his W-2, I'm asked at the end "Is [this employer] a state or local government?" and I answer yes. I work part-time at 2 organizations: an education non-profit (which is not a state or local government) and our local community college (which is a state or local government). When I enter my W-2s, I am not asked whether these employers are state or local governments. I'm not sure how to indicate that one of these employers IS a state and local government. Where can I indicate that an employer is a state/local government if I'm not asked by TurboTax? 

[KrisD15]

There must be something on your husband's W-2 triggered the question. Perhaps he does not pay into social security. Whatever it is, the program asks to verify that this was proper handling of your husband's W-2. 

There is no reason to indicate that yours are also from a government employer. There is no way to amke the program ask that question if it does not need to know. 

[AnnLL]

Thank you for the reply!

That's right, he doesn't pay social security taxes because his government job makes him ineligible for social security benefits, but the same is true for me on my part-time income. That's why I have the question. Are you saying that TurboTax asks the question after the W-2 section to verify that data has been entered correctly? If so, why wasn't I asked after entering the other W-2? I'm just trying to confirm that there is not some box/question that needs to be checked on the 1040 or elsewhere to indicate that the W-2 comes from a state or local government.

Thanks,

Ann

[VictoriaD75]

One of the reasons the question may appear relates to information in box 12 of the W-2. 457b plans are non-qualified, deferred compensation retirement plans offered by state, local government and some nonprofit employers. Because participation in these plans are limited to these groups, it is possible a 457b plan is reported on the W-2 with code G in box 12. TurboTax wants to verify that the taxpayer was an eligible participant. 

[ldurgin]

Sorry to piggy-back on this question, but I'm at the same point in entering my return info. This is the first year I have worked part-time for our community college where the employer is the state system of higher education. I did contribute to a 457(b) plan and I was asked the question "is your employer a state or local government." Maybe it's the wording of the question throwing me off. A college is not a government. It is a state government unit. So do I answer YES to this question? Thank you!

[DianeC958]

Yes, you answer yes to this question.  Only private schools are not funded and run by the state or local governments.