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New Member
posted Feb 2, 2021 4:53:08 PM

W-2 Box 20 is empty but it is asking me to fill it in

What do i put?

0 4 13109
4 Replies
Level 15
Feb 2, 2021 5:02:10 PM

Unless you have a local tax where you live (very rare) and there is an amount withheld in box 19 then all boxes 18-20 must be blank.

Expert Alumni
Feb 2, 2021 5:11:11 PM

You can try entering 0 in Box 20, to see if that helps to resolve this issue. Box 20 and Box 19 go together. 

 

Box 19: Local income tax — The amount of tax withheld for the locality in Box 20. This amount is entered on the appropriate line of your local return.

Box 20: Locality name — The description of the place — like a city or town — for which taxes were also withheld.

 

If both Box 19 and 20 are empty just do not enter any information in TurboTax  for these fields.

 

If you have an amount in box 19, but nothing in box 20, this is a problem. With an amount in box 19, box 20 needs a locality name that the amount in box 19 was paid to. This is usually a city income tax or sometimes state disability payments. In any case, there needs to be a locality name in box 20, if box 19 includes any amount.

 

If you do have an amount in box 19 then you need to contact your employer and ask they correct the W2 before you file.

New Member
Feb 16, 2024 2:48:56 PM

I am having the same issue. I have been talking with my employer who has assured me both boxes must be left blank. Yet, turbo tax keeps showing me this error 😮💨 I don’t know what to do. Someone please help 

 

 

Level 15
Feb 16, 2024 2:50:16 PM

Delete the W-2 and re-enter manually to remove the TurboTax error message.