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Thread: Filing Taxes in 2 States

  1. #1
    BrunetteGoddess
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    Default Filing Taxes in 2 States

    What's the protocol for filing your taxes in 2 states?

    Last year I worked in Arizona 4/07-8/07,
    Then I worked in California from 11/07-present.

    I would need to file for both, right?

    More questions for the tax ignorant:

    - What's the cheapest way to file? Turbo Tax? Is it relatively simple? Last year R filed for both of us (separately) with his own tax person.

    -This is the first time we will be filing jointly. How does this work? Only I have worked in 2007, and in 2 states no less.

    -Re: change of address: I moved in September of last year. I am not aware if my AZ employer I left in August has any way to figure out that I moved.

    -Will my W2 find it's way to me in California by being forwarded when I did a change of address in September? If not, should I call my previous job and give them a new address?

    -What happens if they sent it out already to my old address? If somebody now resides there, I don't want some stranger looking at my W2! Or it sitting in a mailbox somewhere!

  2. #2
    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re: Filing Taxes in 2 States

    Quote Originally Posted by BrunetteGoddess View Post
    What's the protocol for filing your taxes in 2 states?
    You have to file both state forms. Federal doesn't really matter...they don't care where you get your money, but you do have to make sure you file with both states that you lived in (worked in) for the time you did.

    - What's the cheapest way to file? Turbo Tax? Is it relatively simple? Last year R filed for both of us (separately) with his own tax person.
    Well, Turbo Tax can be the cheapest...however, it depends on your tax situation. These days, TT can file federal and all state returns...but again, it depends on your situation and what, exactly, is going on with your taxes.

    -This is the first time we will be filing jointly. How does this work? Only I have worked in 2007, and in 2 states no less.
    If you were 'supporting' the household, I believe that you would file head of household (more exemptions). If he did not work at all, I believe the HoH would work. Again, it doesn't matter for federal how many states you worked in. Federal taxes are the same across the board. It DOES matter for state, so make sure you file both of those.

    -Re: change of address: I moved in September of last year. I am not aware if my AZ employer I left in August has any way to figure out that I moved.

    -Will my W2 find it's way to me in California by being forwarded when I did a change of address in September? If not, should I call my previous job and give them a new address?
    If I am not mistaken, W2s cannot be forwarded, but must be returned to the place of origination (your employer). I would call and tell them the new address to send everything to.

    -What happens if they sent it out already to my old address? If somebody now resides there, I don't want some stranger looking at my W2! Or it sitting in a mailbox somewhere!
    Again, I do not believe that they can deliver a W2 to an address you no longer reside at (and being that it's been less than 6 months and FO last for 6 months, you probably have nothing to worry about). Chances are...they haven't sent it out yet. MOST employers wait until the absolute last second to send these out (Postmarked by January 31)...so call and give them the correct address as soon as you can!

  3. #3
    BrunetteGoddess
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    Default Re: Filing Taxes in 2 States

    Argh, just FYI, I filed jointly last year. I was thinking of 2006. Whoops...


    Thanks Venus!

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    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: Filing Taxes in 2 States

    I use taxactonline.com . Its free and worked really well for me.

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
    "And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion

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    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

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    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re: Filing Taxes in 2 States

    Quote Originally Posted by BrunetteGoddess View Post
    Argh, just FYI, I filed jointly last year. I was thinking of 2006. Whoops...


    Thanks Venus!
    Your welcome!

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    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Filing Taxes in 2 States

    basically you wind up filing a 'resident' tax return with the state in which you're currently residing, and a 'non-resident' tax return for any other states in which you had income. I like Turbo-Tax for this, because in previous years I have had to file up to six different 'non-resident' state tax returns ... and Turbo-Tax automatically pukes out the correct state tax forms and automatically cross-calculates the state tax credits.

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    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: Filing Taxes in 2 States

    BG, I don't think you will qualify to file head of household. But I may be wrong on this one, its just that I remember going through this recently with some clients (I don't do any personal accounting for anyone)
    http://www.irs.gov/applications/wh/helpdocs/hoh.html

    This will be helpful:
    http://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/ho...st/Index.shtml

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
    "And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion

    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

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    Featured Member dangerousdiva's Avatar
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    Default Re: Filing Taxes in 2 States

    Be very careful about filing HOH in California, I did one year (apparently incorrectly) and they nailed me for back taxes.

    I paid it off but still was a pain the ass.

    I've used taxact too, it worked great and was free. Now I just use a professional, my taxes became more complicated and after my CA fiasco I didn't want to make a mistake again.

  9. #9
    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: Filing Taxes in 2 States

    Head of Household counts if you are a single person taking care of a child and a an infirm parent in the home, for example.

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
    "And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion

    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

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    Default Re: Filing Taxes in 2 States

    You will always file 1 Federal return and then as many state returns as applicable (you may be a resident, non-resident or part-year resident). You may not file Head of Household if you are married unless your spouse has not lived with you for the last 6 mos of the year (if your spouse walked out for example). This does NOT include special circumstances where your spouse is temporarily absent (like the military or for non-military job).

    ---------------------------
    For those considering Head of Household you must meet these qualifications:

    1. Be unmarried or considered unmarried (consult the IRS tax code)
    2. Paid more than 1/2 the cost of keeping up the household for the year
    --> The person applying for this status must figure in many different types of sources of income for the qualifying person/people for which they are claiming HOH
    3. Must have a qualifying person live with HOH for more than 1/2 the year (except for temporary absences)

    There are ALOT of factors, so anyone wishing to claim this status must refer to the specifications of their situation in the tax code. There are a lot of stipulations people don't consider so be careful as the IRS scrutinizes this filing status VERY carefully. Refer to the links given previously in this thread.
    The Tax Domme
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    . My purpose is to keep you in compliance with the law, but to use the law to your advantage.





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    Default Re: Filing Taxes in 2 States

    Quote Originally Posted by Katrine View Post
    Head of Household counts if you are a single person taking care of a child and a an infirm parent in the home, for example.
    Your dependent parent does NOT have to live in your home!
    The Tax Domme
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  12. #12
    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: Filing Taxes in 2 States

    Quote Originally Posted by taxdomme View Post
    Your dependent parent does NOT have to live in your home!
    Thanks taxdomme! Tax codes kill me, I wish I had you in my town to refer my clients. Great CPA's are gold!

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
    "And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion

    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

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    Default Re: Filing Taxes in 2 States

    Quote Originally Posted by Katrine View Post
    Thanks taxdomme! Tax codes kill me, I wish I had you in my town to refer my clients. Great CPA's are gold!
    Oh, I'm not a CPA as I prefer tax law over accounting. Tax Professionals and CPA's are two different animals. Unless the Certified Public Accountant has specialized in tax law, they are not a Tax Professional. This is a common misconception that has landed many a mistake-riddled tax returned prepared by CPA's with only a rudimentary knowledge of tax law on my desk for amending. Don't get me wrong, they may have been great certified accountants, but just thought that they knew more than they did in regard to tax law.

    So, it's important that if you want a CPA to prepare your taxes that you make sure you know their specialty and that they have more than their accounting degree's requirement for basic tax law.
    The Tax Domme
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    http://www.taxdomme.com

    I'm a Tax Preparer with a specialty in the Adult Entertainment Industry & a
    member/ advocate
    . My purpose is to keep you in compliance with the law, but to use the law to your advantage.





  14. #14
    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: Filing Taxes in 2 States

    I need good tax attornys too, haha! Any tax specialist is good to know.

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
    "And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion

    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

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