W2 locality name work and live in two different states

[depakk]

Hello.

My employer is based out of NJ and I live in NY. Is my W-2 correct? In the sense that line 20, Locality name, has "New York City" attributed to the state of New Jersey? Shouldn't that be in the next line with NY?

I have redacted fields with numbers in the them. Please note that box 18-20 is filled only for the state of NJ and not NY.

TurboTax online also tells me that if the locality name is New York City it should be to the state of NY. I hope someone can help me here.

[Vanessa A]

No, your W-2 is not correct, but TurboTax is.  The city should match the state.  So if you are working in NYC, then the associated state would be NY not NJ. 

You can contact your employer for a corrected W-2.  

[depakk]

Thanks Vanessa. My payroll is adamant that the W-2 is indeed correct. Is there some terminology I can use with them to get a corrected W-2.

[Vanessa A]

There is not necessarily any terminology that would be used, other than the city needs to match the state in order to know WHERE the city is and for correct filing.  There are multiple states with a city named New York, so the locality should match the state.  

If they refuse to correct it, you can just correct it when you enter it on your return so it is reported properly on your return and so you are able to file the NYC return.  You will not be able to file the NYC if you do not choose the correct state. 

[syz946]

hey @depakk -- Same situation. I'm actually curious what you did here? I'm thinking of entering locality info of "NEW YORK CITY" under NY row rather than NJ. But I'm curious about what you did for the local tax + local wages portion.

Should those also apply to NY instead?

[MonikaK1]

As @Vanessa A stated, the locality info needs to appear on the same line as the applicable state info. Enter the information correctly in TurboTax, even if the printout of your W-2 is displaying the locality on the line with the wrong state.

@syz946 

[depakk]

Hello @syz946 

I spoke to my HR department and they confirmed that this was not an error on the W2 and I did not need an amended version. And to continue doing exactly what you mentioned, entering locality info of "NEW YORK CITY" under NY rather than NJ when I filed my taxes.