Set up multi-state withholding
Follow these steps to manage state income tax (SIT) withholding for employees living in a different state than their work location.
For the employer
- Go to theClientsscreen and select thePayroll Taxestab.
- Mark theClient has nexus in this statecheckbox for the business location.
- Add the employee's home state:
- Select the state from the dropdown.
- Mark theClient has nexus in this statecheckbox if registered to pay taxes there.
- SelectEnterto save.
For the employee
- SelectSetup, thenEmployees.
- Find the out-of-state employee.
- Select thePayroll Taxestab.
- Select the employee's home state in the State Withholding section.
- Add the work state:
- Select the employer state from theStatedropdown.
- Mark theNonresident exemption certificatecheckbox if the employee has submitted a nonresident exemption certificate.
- SelectEnterto save.
Determine state withholding
Answer these questions:
- Is there a reciprocal agreement between states?
- Does the employer have nexus in the employee's home state?
- Has the employee filed a nonresident exemption certificate?
- Does the home state tax out-of-state work?
- Does the work state tax non-residents?
- Is there a tax credit between states?
- Is home state withholding required if the work state has none?
- Does the work state have withholding?
Based on your answers, use the following table to determine the correct withholding setup. This ensures you're complying with both states' tax laws and treating your employees fairly.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yes | Yes | Yes | N/A | No | N/A | N/A | N/A | Withholding held on resident state, and nonresident state equals zero. |
Yes | Yes | No | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Withholding held on the nonresident state. |
Yes | No | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | No withholding held on either state. |
Yes | No | No | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Withholding held on the nonresident state. |
No | Yes | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes | N/A | N/A | Withholding held in full for the nonresident state. Any withholding differences are accounted for in the resident state. |
No | Yes | N/A | Yes | Yes | No | N/A | N/A | Full withholding held in both states. |
No | Yes | N/A | Yes | No | N/A | N/A | N/A | Withholding held on the resident state. |
No | Yes | N/A | No | Yes | N/A | Yes | Yes | Withholding held on the nonresident state. |
No | Yes | N/A | No | N/A | N/A | Yes | No | Withholding held on the resident state. |
No | Yes | N/A | No | No | N/A | Yes | Yes | Withholding held on the resident state. |
No | Yes | N/A | No | N/A | N/A | No | N/A | Withholding held on the nonresident state. |
No | No | N/A | N/A | No | N/A | N/A | N/A | No withholding held on either state. |
No | No | N/A | N/A | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | Withholding held on the nonresident state. |