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Level 1
June 7, 2019
Solved

I have local income tax paid (item 18) on my w2 but no local wages, tips etc (item18)

  • June 7, 2019
  • 4 replies
  • 0 views
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Best answer by Heather_Billings

That's very normal.  Because the local wages, tips, etc are almost always the same amount as state wages and federal wages, many payroll companies leave that box blank.  Don't worry - you'll still get credit for the local taxes paid on Schedule A.  

4 replies

Level 2
June 7, 2019

That's very normal.  Because the local wages, tips, etc are almost always the same amount as state wages and federal wages, many payroll companies leave that box blank.  Don't worry - you'll still get credit for the local taxes paid on Schedule A.  

Level 2
June 7, 2019
We are having the same problem; my husband's W2 shows $70.70 in box 19 and nothing in box 18, and TurboTax will not allow us to file until this has been "corrected," even though it's accurate.
Level 2
May 16, 2021

If it helps anyone out--this has been happening every year now for 3 years. I started just deleting anything from the local wages tips etc. box and leaving it blank. Not technically accurate but TurboTax doesn't seem to have a solution for this. 

Level 2
January 14, 2020

I just found this information in "common questions" category when searching for answers on my husbands tax return section of his employer.

 

   QUESTION: My tax software program requires a local taxable amount. My W-2 doesn't show one. Where can I get this
figure?
ANSWER: The IRS does not require a local taxable figure on the W-2. Only the local tax paid must be shown. However,
some tax preparation software does require a local taxable figure for processing. We recommend that the employee use
the Medicare taxable figure, found in box 5 of the W-2. 

 

I hope this is helpful to someone.

Level 3
April 1, 2020

I have a W2 with blanks in boxes 15-17,Ie. no state income tax withheld. Yet, I have amounts in boxes 18-19 and "51-Phila" (presumably Philadelphia) in box 20. What do I do? Do I need to file a PA state returnb (TT didn't prompt me w PA as a choice for states when I starting the state section).  Do I need to file a local Philly return (and NOT a Pennsylvanis state return)? Thanks.

VictoriaD75
Level 12
April 2, 2020

That is not likely. You would need to file a Pennsylvania return if you reside in the state. Do you happen to live in NJ and commute to Philadelphia? If so, you will need to file a NJ return. You should contact your employer, as it may have been reported in error. If you live in either PA or NJ, state income taxes should have been withheld. You may need to obtain a corrected W-2.

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Level 2
January 30, 2021

It seems that the software is not smart enough to distinguish 'blank' vs 0 when using the upload feature. Just go back to the W2 section and choose the manual entry option and remove the prefilled 0.00 in Box 18. Voila! Problem solved.

 

I paid for the live chat option only to get the standard 'clear your browser cache' canned response. Intuit, this the best you can do??

Level 2
March 8, 2021

Thanks. 

Stupid Turbotax.

Level 2
February 9, 2022

I had the same problem with turbotax I was gonna have my return direct deposited but it said my local taxes were more than my local wages so it said I couldn't e-file I had to do a paper check so I changed it to paper check, yeah I wasn't too happy bout that