Got a W2C for wrong state tax reporting before filing - do I file with original W2 first then amend?

But what if the W2C only shows the correction for the wrong state but doesn't have my correct state info on it? My company's HR is notoriously bad with this stuff and I'm worried the W2C might be incomplete too.

Great question. If the W2C doesn't include the correct state information, you should contact your employer right away and request a complete W2C that shows both the correction for the wrong state and the proper reporting for your correct state. Sometimes employers will issue multiple correction forms - one removing the incorrect state reporting and another adding the correct state. If that's the case, you'll need all forms to file properly. Don't hesitate to be persistent with your HR department since this was their error and they're responsible for providing correct tax documents.

Does taxr.ai work if you have multiple W2s? I have a similar situation but also have a second job with a correct W2. Would it handle that complexity?

I'm a bit skeptical about tax tools. How does this one compare to something like TurboTax or H&R Block? Do they actually know all the specific state rules?

Yes, it absolutely works with multiple W2s! I actually had a side gig last year too, and it handled both my main job's W2C situation and my second W2 without any issues. It combines all sources of income correctly. It's different from TurboTax because it's specifically focused on analyzing tax documents and giving you guidance rather than just being tax filing software. It knows state-specific rules and actually explains them in plain English. What I found most helpful was that it pointed out exactly which boxes on which forms I needed to pay attention to for my specific situation.

Wait, how does this actually work? Do they just call the IRS for you? Couldn't you just keep calling yourself until you get through?

This sounds like a scam. No way someone can magically get through the IRS phone system faster than anyone else. They probably just put you on hold anyway and charge you for it.

They use a system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you. When they reach a human representative, you get a call back to connect with the agent. It's not magic - they're just using technology to handle the wait time so you don't have to sit there listening to hold music for hours. No, they don't just put you on hold and charge you. You only get charged if they actually connect you with an IRS agent. I was skeptical too until I tried it. I had already spent almost 4 hours across multiple days trying to get through myself with no luck.

Should I wait until April to file if I'm not sure my company has issued all their corrections? I'm worried they might send another W2C after I file.

I wouldn't wait until April, but I would definitely confirm with your payroll department that the W2C you have is final. Ask them specifically if all corrections have been processed and if they anticipate sending any additional corrected forms. If you're still concerned, you could wait a couple weeks after receiving a W2C to see if another arrives, but I wouldn't delay until the deadline. If you do end up receiving another correction after filing, then you would need to amend, but it's better to file on time with the information you have than to file late.

I used H&R Block's software for a similar issue last year. You just enter the W2C information instead of the original W2. But make sure you enter it exactly as shown on the W2C, including any negative amounts. The software handled the multi-state situation pretty well, but I had to do the non-resident state return first, then my home state.

This is really helpful clarification! I'm new to dealing with tax issues like this. Quick question - when you say the W2C should show corrections for both states, does that mean it will have entries for both the wrong state (showing the correction/removal) AND the correct state (showing where it should have been reported)? Or might some companies issue separate W2Cs for each state correction? I'm asking because I want to make sure I know what to expect when I get mine, so I can push back if it's incomplete like some others mentioned their HR departments doing.

Great question! Ideally, a complete W2C should show both corrections on the same form - it will have negative amounts (or zeros) for the wrong state to reverse those withholdings, and positive amounts for your correct state showing where the taxes should have been reported. This is the cleanest approach. However, some payroll systems are clunky and companies might issue separate W2Cs - one to "undo" the wrong state reporting and another to properly report to the correct state. If you receive separate forms, make sure you have both before filing, and use all the corrected information together. When you get your W2C, look at the state tax sections carefully. If you only see corrections removing the wrong state info but nothing adding your correct state, definitely contact HR immediately and ask for the complete correction. Don't let them tell you "that's how our system works" - they're legally required to provide accurate tax documents, and that includes showing where your state taxes should actually be reported.

Great summary of the key points! For your timing question - wrong state refunds can definitely take longer than normal. In my experience, it took about 8-10 weeks to get my refund from the incorrect state versus the usual 4-6 weeks from my home state. The wrong state's system has to process that you're claiming back taxes that were incorrectly withheld, which seems to trigger additional review. As for the second concern about them flagging it - I was worried about the same thing! But it actually wasn't an issue at all. When you file the non-resident return, you're basically telling that state "I never lived or worked here, please refund the taxes that were incorrectly withheld." The W2C documentation supports this claim since it shows your employer's correction. Most states are used to handling these employer payroll error situations. Just make sure to include a brief note with your non-resident return explaining that your employer incorrectly reported your income to their state and has issued a W2C to correct it. That context helps the processors understand why you're filing there despite having withholdings.