State Return Rejected due to Box 18 - 2 numbers in Box 18 but only 1 in Box 19. Help?

Forum|Forum|11 months ago
April 11, 2025
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Turbo Tax has rejected our state tax return because it says there is an incorrect number entered in Box 18 (Local wages, tips etc.). The W2 in question has two numbers in this box, split by a dotted line; I only worked in one location for the year so I'm not sure why there are two numbers.

We have tried submitting the state tax return with both numbers and also tried adding the numbers together, and it's been rejected all three times.

Additional info: Box 19 has a number in the lower half only. Box 20 has 2 Locality names which are "City" and "NY CIT" - I think these equate to the same thing? As mentioned, I worked in the same state (NY) for the entire year and have never had this issue before.

Any idea how we can work around this?

AmyC

Employee

Since you have already been rejected 3 times, this really needs to be done right. Contact payroll and determine what the numbers are and why they are reported in a split manner when you worked in one location. Your w2 needs to have boxes 18-20 match

all with one number or
all with 2 numbers

Things need to be clear. Plus, you need your NYC return to be correct.

Too many rejections means paper filing so let's get it right before you file again. Talk to payroll and let us know if you need help getting it right on the form.

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paulkeskeysAuthor

Hi there, Amy - I wanted to update you. Firstly, I filed an extension with NY to give more time to resolve this issue.

My employer sent a corrected W2 (in the shape of a W2-c form, with 1 number in all boxes 18-20) and I went back in and revised the information to reflect the corrected information, and attempted to refile.

Unfortunately Turbo Tax still rejected it citing a 'data mismatch'. There seems to be an issue with the automated system, so nothing I put in these boxes seems to make a difference. Is there anything else I can do to file electronically, for example by deleting and starting over for State (Federal is already filed) - or do I need to resort to mail filing?

If filing by mail, I would appreciate any advice - for example, do I mail both the W2 and the W2-c? I've never filed by mail before (been filing with no problem through TurboTax for 8+ years), so am anxious to get this right so we can receive our refund (TurboTax tells me we are owed $1200 for state taxes).

Thank you in advance for your help!

paulkeskeysAuthor

Hi there, I am just following up about this as I am still stuck with the rejected state return. Is there anyone that can advise? Thank you so much in advance for your help.