State Return Rejected due to Box 18 - 2 numbers in Box 18 but only 1 in Box 19. Help?

[paulkeskeys]

Turbo Tax has rejected our state tax return because it says there is an incorrect number entered in Box 18 (Local wages, tips etc.). The W2 in question has two numbers in this box, split by a dotted line; I only worked in one location for the year so I'm not sure why there are two numbers.

We have tried submitting the state tax return with both numbers and also tried adding the numbers together, and it's been rejected all three times.

Additional info: Box 19 has a number in the lower half only. Box 20 has 2 Locality names which are "City" and "NY CIT" - I think these equate to the same thing? As mentioned, I worked in the same state (NY) for the entire year and have never had this issue before.

Any idea how we can work around this?

[AmyC]

Since you have already been rejected 3 times, this really needs to be done right. Contact payroll and determine what the numbers are and why they are reported in a split manner when you worked in one location. Your w2 needs to have boxes 18-20  match 

• all with one number or 
• all with 2 numbers  

Things need to be clear. Plus, you need your NYC return to be correct.

Too many rejections means paper filing so let's get it right before you file again. Talk to payroll and let us know if you need help getting it right on the form.

[paulkeskeys]

Hi there, Amy - I wanted to update you. Firstly, I filed an extension with NY to give more time to resolve this issue.

My employer sent a corrected W2 (in the shape of a W2-c form, with 1 number in all boxes 18-20) and I went back in and revised the information to reflect the corrected information, and attempted to refile.

Unfortunately Turbo Tax still rejected it citing a 'data mismatch'. There seems to be an issue with the automated system, so nothing I put in these boxes seems to make a difference. Is there anything else I can do to file electronically, for example by deleting and starting over for State (Federal is already filed) - or do I need to resort to mail filing?

If filing by mail, I would appreciate any advice - for example, do I mail both the W2 and the W2-c? I've never filed by mail before (been filing with no problem through TurboTax for 8+ years), so am anxious to get this right so we can receive our refund (TurboTax tells me we are owed $1200 for state taxes).

Thank you in advance for your help!

[paulkeskeys]

Hi there, I am just following up about this as I am still stuck with the rejected state return. Is there anyone that can advise? Thank you so much in advance for your help.

[CatinaT1]

Let me see if I can help, on your corrected W2, what is in Box 18, 19, and 20? What do you have entered in TurboTax for these boxes? Is this your only W2?

[paulkeskeys]

Hi CatinaT1, thank you for your message!

Here is the 'previously reported' figures for boxes 18-20 and the 'correct' info:

I have tried filing with just the information in the second column (since all numbers have been consolidated into here), but this did not work, so I tried filing with two rows but with the second row just filled with 0s (as shown in the fourth column above). This did not work either. Each time it was rejected due to a data mismatch, according to TurboTax.

This is not my only W2, but the others only had single numbers in these boxes so I believe this particular W2 is where the problem lies.

Any help would be grately appreciated!

[CatinaT1]

Okay, you want to enter for this way:

box 18 12864

box 19 144

Box 20 NY CIT

That's it, no other lines. Also make sure if there are any spaces in the other boxes they are deleted. TurboTax sees a space as an entry. I would also very your other W2's if they have Box 18, 19, and 20 filled in.

Let me know how it works out.

[paulkeskeys]

Hi Catina,

I just tried this, inputting the exact numbers you mentioned (including rounding up box 19 to 144) and it unfortunately it was rejected again :(

I checked all of the other W2 and all looks correct. I am at a loss at this point - do you have any other ideas or work-arounds for this?

[Vanessa A]

Is TurboTax giving you an error and not letting you file or are you submitting and then it comes back with a rejection?

Are you using the online version or the desktop version?

What is the exact error or message you are getting?

for box 20 did you try NY City with a y on the end?

[paulkeskeys]

Hi Vanessa,

I am submitting it and then it comes back a short time later as rejected (my federal return was accepted on the first attempt, no problem). The error message I receive is: "W2_Import_Hold - Your state return has been rejected due to a data mismatch on your W2."

Here is a screenshot of the email I receive each time:

I am using the online version of Turbo Tax. I have not yet tried with "NY CITY" in box 20 so can try that, but I will say that Turbo Tax specifies Box 18 as being the cause of the issue. This is a screenshot of Turbo Tax's message when I begin the refile attempt:

Any further ideas or information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your help.

[Vanessa A]

This is not a TurboTax rejection.  It is something from the state.  You will likely need to print and mail the return if you cannot figure out what NYS has for your W-2 info. 

[paulkeskeys]

Thanks Vanessa. Do you know if there is a way to look up what NYS has for this W2 so I can see if I'm able to match it up?

[Vanessa A]

I do not see a spot like the IRS has, however, you can contact the NY Department of Revenue and Taxation to see if they can provide you with the correct information.