US Taxes question

[LordShiva]

I need to file federal and state (DC) taxes.

I don't have any mortgage payments, tuition fees, charity contributions with receipts, or (unreimbursed) business expenses. I will pay state taxes, though, which, at 8.5% in DC will be more than $5,500 (the standard deduction). So, when I file my federal taxes, I'd want to itemise, and list the state tax figure (right?). But I won't know my exact state tax figure until I file my state taxes. The problem is, my state tax form asks for details on my federal taxes.

What to do?

[ZEE]

use a calculator?
umm... sorry

[KrazyHorse]

I'm assuming that you are a non-resident alien, right? You do not have permanent US residence?

In that case you cannot take the standard deduction. You must itemise. If state tax was witheld at source then claim the amount witheld at source as state taxes paid. If you have a state tax refund then you will have to report it as income during the following year (2007).

In other words, if you had 8000$ DC tax witheld at source during 2006, claim 8000$. If you then get a refund of 1000$ from DC on this 8000$ you will have to report it as federal income during 2007.

[rah]

I'm not sure if we're talking about the same thing since I'm in a different state, but the state info used on your federal tax sheet is usually from the year before.

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
I'm assuming that you are a non-resident alien, right? You do not have permanent US residence?

In that case you cannot take the standard deduction. You must itemise. If state tax was witheld at source then claim the amount witheld at source as state taxes paid. If you have a state tax refund then you will have to report it as income during the following year (2007).

In other words, if you had 8000$ DC tax witheld at source during 2006, claim 8000$. If you then get a refund of 1000$ from DC on this 8000$ you will have to report it as federal income during 2007.

I think that's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks

[DanS]

Originally posted by rah
I'm not sure if we're talking about the same thing since I'm in a different state, but the state info used on your federal tax sheet is usually from the year before.

If you're filing a 2006 tax return, you will be using the state figure from your 2006 W2. KH has it right.

[Lorizael]

Btw, what did we let you in the country for?

[DanS]

I was grandfathered in. Sorry.

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by Lorizael
Btw, what did we let you in the country for?

For being awesome.

[Lorizael]

Thanks for answering, DanS. I was worried someone might think I was asking the Indian...

[ZEE]

he did

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by LordShiva
For being awesome.

Seriously. What exactly do you do? And why are you paid at least three times as much as I am to do it?

[DanS]

He was let in so that he could pay the outrageous D.C. taxes.

[LordShiva]

I'm a management/strategy consultant. I.e. You guys let me in to make stuff up and BS a lot in PowerPoint.

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by DanS
He was let in so that he could pay the outrageous D.C. taxes.

Taxation and two reasons for lack of representation