I received W2s for 2 different states from the same employer because there was a delay in updating my address to my state of employment. How do I file for state returns?

[c-kim203]

I began my job in DC in August and initially entered my New Jersey address on tax forms while searching for an apartment in DC. My initial earnings were under NJ tax and were updated to DC tax a few months later. They should've been updated sooner because I moved into my DC apartment in August but it was delayed for a couple of months. I have received 3 W2s from my employer: 1 Federal, 1 NJ, and 1 DC. I have entered each into TurboTax. I am reviewing my DC state tax info and it asks about the income I received while residing outside of DC.  

Do I enter Box 1 (Wages) listed on my NJ W2? (This appears to be a summation of my total earnings, NJ and DC) 

Do I enter Box 16 (State wages) listed on my NJ W2? 

Or has this all already been accounted for by filing separate W2s? 

[DianeW · Accepted solution]

The W2s for one employer should be entered as one W2 in TurboTax unless there were more than one W2 that makes up your total wages for the entire year (or other period of employment if less than a full year) for this employer. This is to eliminate doubling your income on the federal return.

When you enter the W2, you will "add another row" to account for each row of state wages and withholding (image attached). 

Now for the state returns the income earned outside each state should be the actual amount earned while residing in each state.  If the employer wasn't notified or didn't switch the state at the appropriate time, then you can use your check stubs to determine the correct amount for each state based on residency.  Or, if you received approximately the same pay regularly then you could choose to simply prorate it by months (wages/12 months x number of months of residency).

You can go directly to the area to correct your W2 by following these steps. (Delete extras as needed)

1. Sign into your account and select your current return.

2. Select  My Account on the top right and then select Tools

3. Select Topic Search (see attached image)

4. Search for W2 and select Go (edit and/or delete extras)

5. Follow the interview to correct the state wages in your W2.