thanks @ErnieS0 ! I think now you are kind of on the same page about my situation ( 0 days NJ in 2022, 0 employer in NJ 20222. but has a WA employer reward received in 2022 for FY21, which contains periods of ~2 month that I was in NJ).
Now, I am confused again:
1. you mentioned in your lastest reply, " reporting whatever is listed as NJ wages in box 16", then it is only ~$3000< the filing threshold $20000. Does this mean I dont need to file NJ tax return?
I dont have detailed knowledge on how to validate box 16, so I would just believe my HR department did the correct number there.
2. If the only reason to file a NJ tax return is to get some refund. The withholding from NJ is ~$60, I dont care if they need to give me some refund. I dont have to do the tax return for getting that money back. Will this be a problem if they audit me?
3. In my situation, is there ANY chance I owe money for the tax? That is the only worry I have
4. You mentioned " allows you to state how much income you earned in NJ. " This you mean the column B on NJ1042NR, right? For column A, it is still my real total income, although it has nothing to do with NJ except the box 16 amount. If I put my real total income there, does NJ just tax me on my real total income rather than box 16?
5. If I need to file NJ, I dont even know how to do it. Can I still use my turbotax? How can I do it as NJ did not pop up for me?
6. You mentioned "If the amount is different from your W-2, you may get a letter from NJ, but as long as you have some type of documentation, you won't get into any trouble. You'll just have to respond and explain the difference." What numbers? do you mean box 16 may be different from what they have record as my income? Why that would be different? Will they use my real total income? If so, I wont get into trouble by arguing that my W2 box 16 for NJ is just ~$3000? And this is under the circumstances that I file NJ tax return, right? What if i dont file one?
Thanks!
No, you need to file in NJ because you have some NJ income and your total income from everywhere is more than $10,000 if single or $20,000 if you are married.
2. If you don't bother, you may get contacted by NJ about it in the future.
3. I doubt you would owe more than the amount that was withheld, but the only way to be certain is to complete the NJ state return.
4. Yes, Column A is your entire income as shown on your federal return. Column B is the amount attributable to activities in NJ. The NJ tax return calculates NJ tax on your entire income and then prorates that amount by the NJ income.
For example, say your federal income is $100,000 and your NJ income is $3,000. The NJ tax on the $100,000 would be multiplied by 3% to arrive at your NJ tax as a non-resident.
5. Yes, you can do your NJ return in TurboTax. If you are still working on your tax return, click on State on the left side menu, then +Add State toward the lower left corner. Select New Jersey and Continue.
If you completed and filed your 2022 tax return, log back in, scroll to the bottom, click on 2022 and click Add State.
6. Yes, your NJ income as reported by your employer is the amount in box 16 on your W-2. If you think it is wrong, you can contest that, but you can expect that NJ will not agree.
