I earned my first taxable wages this year, working in NYC over the summer; yet I live in New Jersey. I should have a couple hundred dollars coming back in the form of a tax rebate. Do I need to file the NY state forms, the NJ forms, or both? I’m hoping to use the free version of TurboTax online, but maybe I need a more sophisticated program that will handle multiple states?
In general, you would file 1 federal return and 2 state returns (NY and NJ). However, if you did not earn enough money in 2004 to be required to file tax returns, just file the federal EZ and file for the refund in the state(s) taxes were deducted for.
In particular, if you made less than $10,000, you don’t have to file NJ state tax (it’s in the beginning of the instructions).
Isn’t there also a NYC income tax? It would appear on your pay stub.
Peace.