What's the difference when doing state taxes between State Income Tax and State Income Tax Withheld?

Question

I'm doing my state taxes, and the form online asks for State Income Tax WITHHELD.

When I look at my W-2 I have something on line 17 that only says State Income Tax which is $316.58. Nothing using the word WITHHELD.

When I study my W-2 further, I realize they do use the term "withheld" for Federal income tax and Social security tax.

Should I enter this $316.58 as State Income Tax WITHHELD? or is that something different in which case I should enter zero $0.00?

Answer 1

Tax withheld is what they believe the tax should be. Since each state can change their tax laws, the federal government cannot know what to pay so they take out what it should be.

Then when you file your state tax, the withheld amount is either more or less than what you have to pay.

You can change your withheld amount at anytime. I do not have any state tax withheld.

In Nevada, Washington and a couple of other states, there are no state taxes.

Answer 2

it should be at the bottom of your taxes where it states "state tax income" and right next to that there should say "state tax withheld" if there is a box that says that but no amount is listed in the box then it should be zero because it seems like there were no state taxes withheld.

Answer 3

Enter the $316.58 as withheld - they could have been clearer on the W-2, but that's what it is. You'll calculate your state tax on the return itself, then figure out whether you owe or get a refund, or just break even.

Answer 4

Enter the $316.58 as state tax withheld.

This is what a W2 is for.