When filing Federal Tax Return, W2 Box 15 has TOTAL STATE, cannot continue. How do I proceed?

[Skyyy]

Background: My work is in NYC, I lived in NY Jan-March in 2021 and then moved to NJ for the rest of the year. I know I need to file 2 states' tax return. I am now starting with Federal return first. I have 6 W2s: two have TOTAL STATE in box 15; two have NJ in box 15 and numbers in box 16; two have NY in box 15 and have numbers in box 16,17; two have NY in box 15, box 16, 17,18, 19 have numbers, and box 20 has NEW YORK CITY.

Situtaion and Question:

1. I am now filing Federal Tax Return, which W2 copy should I use? What do i do with "TOTAL STATE" in box 15?
2. Later, if I file NY state tax return, since I have four copies that have NY in box 15 (see above background), which one should I use?
3. Then, finally when I file NJ tax return, I assume I can just use the two copies that have NJ in box 15.

Please help to answer questions 1 and 2. Thank you!

[LenaH]

Can you clarify whether this is 6 copies of a W-2 from the same job? If not, can you describe what is listed on your W-2s broken up by job? 

[Skyyy]

Hi@Lena, it's the same job. I have all these W2s for the same job.

[VolvoGirl]

Sounds like you should enter them all on 1 W2 entry.

If the EIN number is the same and you work in more than 1 state or city, sometimes they will give you another W2 with the extra state information on it and the top part the same or not filled in.  If this is the case, list one W-2 but include both state or local  taxes on it.  It will let you type in more than one line for boxes 15-20.  Don't add the boxes together.  

Same for boxes 12 & 14 if there is no room on the first W2 they can give you another W2 with the extra boxes on it.  So list them all on 1 W2.  For box 12 just enter it in the next row or box.  It doesn't have to match the box 12a-d etc.

[Skyyy]

Hi @VolvoGirl, Thanks for replying! But i don't understand. 4 copies of W2s have NY in box 15, and 2 of them have numbers in box16&17, 2of them have numbers in box 16&17&18&19.  These numbers are different than the numbers in box 12 and 14. 

[VolvoGirl]

I don't know why you have so many W2s.  But if box 17 is empty or blank leave boxes 15,16,17 blank on those.  Is the federal boxes 1-6 the same on all of them?  Or missing on some?   Are any complete duplicates?   You do usually get 4 copies of the same W2 for your records and to attach to federal and state returns.

[Skyyy]

Hi @VolvoGirl  @LenaH 

I think I found out why there are 4 copies of NY W2s. Two have "NY Stage Filing Copy" written below, and two have "City or Local Reference Copy".  So I have 4 sets of W2s: one set of W2s for Federal filing, one set for NY, one set for NY City/Local, and one set for NJ.

Box 15-20 are different in these sets, but they are the same within the same sets. I do still have the "TOTAL STATE" in federal W2 box15.  How do I do the filing in turbox tax?

Thank you! 

[DMarkM1]

You should enter as one W2.  A line for NY boxes 15-17 and a line for NJ boxes 15-17 plus a local line for NYC/Local boxes 18-20.

The total state line on that Federal set of W2s is for information only just totaling the state lines.     

[Skyyy]

Thank you @DMarkM1 ! I assume you were referring to Federal filing? So then for NY State filing, i should use both NY and City/Local copies, right?

[DMarkM1]

Yes and no.  You are correct you will enter the form information as one W2 in the federal interview that includes the compilation of the various copies you have.   All applicable information will then automatically flow to your state returns.    

@Skyyy