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New Member
posted May 31, 2019 11:06:51 PM

Two w2's, same employer different state. One w2 only has state information. because the box one is empty, turbo tax is prompting the docs be mailed

Does my return have to be filed by mail?

1 20 16791
20 Replies
Expert Alumni
May 31, 2019 11:06:53 PM

No- combine the state information in Turbo Tax under the entry of one W2.

  • Enter your federal wages and federal information as it is- not the one with the blanks/ zeros- the one with the legitimate numbers
  • Enter your first state- state ID, state wages, state tax withheld
  • Add a row for the other state wages (Boxes 15-17)
  • Enter the next state- state ID, wages, state tax withheld

You only have 1 W2. Having multiple copies for state purposes doesn't mean you have multiple W2s. So, enter all the relevant data into one W2 input inside Turbo Tax.

Then you'll be able to efile.

Level 1
Jun 7, 2020 9:18:52 AM

Beautiful strategy. If you have multiple W-2s from one employer for different states (common in the consulting industry) , do not enter separate W-2s. Instead enter the main W-2, and add additional states on the different rows available in TurboTax when entering rows 15-17 and 18-20 (if applicable). This will support your ability to efile.

Level 2
Feb 28, 2021 7:02:32 PM

This fixes the issue with the federal tax return but now is creating issues with my MA tax return. Now I can't efile state. Any workaround? thx 

Intuit Alumni
Feb 28, 2021 7:14:08 PM

What is the error you receive when you try to e-file your state return @FrankSTein ?

Level 2
Feb 28, 2021 7:29:23 PM

Software is double counting the income for the MA state return. So when I override the value it won't let me e-file for that state. 

I have also tried creating a second W2 with only the state info but it creates issues with the federal return.

 

What would you suggest? Thanks for your help

Level 2
Feb 28, 2021 7:34:52 PM

just adding a little bit more info in case it helps:

1) When it transfer the state wages from the W2 it's counting both states as real income, essentially doubling the income.

 

2) software asks if the value transferred is correct? Stating: need to verify if amount is correct, because sometimes employeers report same wage for more than one state and that I cannot change the number in box 16.

 

3) When I opt to change it confirming it's missrepresented. Software offers to carry on with the Massachusetts portion only, but it says that I won't be able to e-file. Which is confirmed later in the process.

 

 

This was not a problem last year

Level 2
Feb 28, 2021 7:44:36 PM

Sorry I didn't tag you @CarissaM - See extra details above please. Thanks for your help.

Level 2
Mar 12, 2021 9:26:03 PM

Did you solve this issue? 

Level 2
Mar 12, 2021 9:58:03 PM

No @simont ,  I haven’t unfortunately. Forum got really quiet and have not received a new comment/advise from TurboTax. 
Might be my last year using the software after 11 years in a row!

 Please let me know if you have better luck. Thanks!

Expert Alumni
Mar 15, 2021 11:34:41 AM

@FrankSTein Combine your two W-2's from the Same Employer into one W-2 entry in TurboTax.

 

Click this link for more info on Multiple W-2's from Same Employer

 

When entering Lines 15-17, only enter one line for MA Income and Tax Withheld, so there should be no 'doubling' when this transfers to your Massachusetts return. 

 

 

Level 2
Mar 15, 2021 5:16:52 PM

Hi @MarilynG1 , thats what I did, but somehow the MA return is also grabbing the income showed for RI in box 16, effectively duplicating my real wage. What can I do? I've tried a lot of things and getting desperate now. Tried changing the order on how I enter boxes 15, 16 and 17 for both states. Tried deleting one and adding back later... tried changing it manually and no luck.

Thanks for your help

Expert Alumni
Mar 15, 2021 6:11:05 PM

@FrankSTein On the first line, it should read MA, (Wages), Tax Withheld.  The second line should read RI (no wage amount) and RI Tax Withheld. 

 

Don't show any income in the RI line.  There will be only the MA Income for the state return to pick up.

 

You should prepare your RI Non-Resident return first.  If RI picks up the correct amount of income, then go back to your original W-2 entry in your Federal return and delete the RI income in the second state income line.

 

Then go to your Massachusets Resident return.  It should only pick up the MA income amount and tax from your W-2. 

 

Since we can't see your tax return in this forum, if you can't resolve your issue, you can request Phone Support or an Offline Review where a tax expert can look at your return.

 

 

 

 

Level 2
Mar 15, 2021 6:18:05 PM

@MarilynG1 I have tried that too and it gives me errors on my Federal Return because wages can't be blank on box 16. Also if I set RI as zero, then the RI return will be wrong.

I personally didn't have this problem last year, although there are issues reported in the forum for at least 2 or 3 years.

Level 2
Mar 16, 2021 4:30:11 PM
Level 2
Apr 18, 2021 11:26:49 AM

how to add one more row for box 15-17? I have 3 states' information to put but there are only two rows. 

Level 15
Apr 18, 2021 11:45:48 AM

After you fill the 2nd line (select  an "associated state"), TurboTax will add another line for the next (3rd) state.

Level 2
Apr 18, 2021 12:05:40 PM

Thank you very much for your reply! 

New Member
Mar 20, 2022 4:32:06 PM

I am having the same issue in filing the 2021 return.   MA resident working in RI.   W-2 has MA and RI withholding.  I put the information in as suggested and it doubles the income for MA.  I put nothing in MA wages and the returns are correct.  But then I try to e-file and it gives me an error for leaving that box empty.

New Member
Mar 20, 2022 4:34:49 PM

I am having this same issue for 2021 filing.   Tried calling Turbo tax, explained the situation and they dropped the call and never called me back.   Guess i have to paper file, after I paid the e-filing fees.  UGH.

Level 2
Mar 20, 2022 5:35:07 PM

@Donna M Boston @Make sure you write $0 instead of leaving the incoming box empty for MA