How do I file my state income tax return if I have W-2's from two states?

Question

I moved to Massachusetts from Iowa last October, and have W-2's from both states. Should I pay to have my taxes done by professionals or do them myself as I always have done? Is this going to cost me additional money to file for two states?

Answer 1

If you use TurboTax or something, it will cost extra because you have to buy modules for both states. But essentially, you will just report both W-2's to the Federal government - they don't care what state it came from - and one W-2 to its respective state.

I had to file for three states this year, and 4 different W-2s. One in SC, one in VA (my wife), and one for each of us in NC. It was very easy to file the Federal portion - just do each W-2 in order, and add them up. The hardest part is distributing your deductions correctly across the states, based on how long you lived in each one. Some don't apply to certain states, so you might only apply 30% to one state and none to the other because 70% of your deduction occurred in that state but they don't recognize it.

In most states, filing as a partial-year resident is not very different (if at all) from filing as a current, full-year resident. Just has a field somewhere on the form to declare what percentage of your income was received while a resident of that state.

Answer 2

You will file two state tax returns. You are a part-year resident of Massachusetts and a part-year resident of Iowa.

To save money, download the forms from the state websites. Just do the part-year returns, no big deal. There will be no connection between the two state returns.

To do two state returns will increase your preparation costs by about $50 at most mass-market preparation firms.

Answer 3

you will report 2 state tax returns. you're a factor-365 days resident of Massachusetts and a factor-365 days resident of Iowa. to maintain funds, acquire the varieties from the state web pages. do exactly the area-365 days returns, no vast deal. there will be no connection between the two state returns. To do 2 state returns will advance your preparation fees by skill of roughly $50 at maximum mass-industry preparation companies.

Answer 4

Did you live in each state for part of the year? If so, you must file a part year resident return for each state. Yes, it will cost a couple bucks extra to have a professional do it. Even if you have Turbo Tax, you'll have to pay extra for the second state.

Answer 5

State taxes are determined by the state of residency. If you were a part-year resident or non-resident, then both states usually have forms for this separation/partial residency. If you go to a professional, additional cost would be involved because there are two states involved, just as if you used a software program, because you would need to purchase both states for completion.