I know I should probably get an accountant for my takes this year, but I figured I would ask. For the first part of the year I lived and worked in NYC until August when I had an apartment in both NYC and NJ :( . Then for the rest of the year I lived in NJ and worked in NYC. I also started paying on my student loans in July. How exactly would I go about filing??

Please help.

Genevieve6:

Because of the student loan interest, you will have to file either Form 1040A or Form 1040.

You will also need to file NJ and NY state tax returns. You probably will NOT owe any NJ taxes because of the credit you get for paying NY and NYC city taxes (the NYC tax return is embedded in the NY state tax form) will completely offset your NJ tax obligation.

I can prepare these returns for you for a very reasonable fee. I have multiple clients from the NJ/NY area, and I can provide references.

If you are interested, email me at [email protected] with your phone number. After we talk, I will quote you a fee.

AtlantaTaxExpert:
What if only NJ return is filed? For 2007, Genevieve6 is not resident of NJ and as non resident does not have any NJ source income (unless he is NJ domiciled).

MukatA:

First, Genevieve6 is female; I spoke with her on the phone.

Second, assume you meant "only NY return is filed".

Third, she MAY be able to get away with NOT filing a NJ return, but NY return is mandated because I guarantee that her NYC-based employer IS withholding NY state and probably NYC income taxes.

If she fails to file a NJ return, there will probably be no consequences because she will likely owe NO NJ taxes due to the NY state/NYC income tax credit offset for 2007.

However, there IS a renter's rebate that Genevieve6 may forfeit by not filing.

Filing the NJ return is NOT that hard, and, at worst, it is a break-even proposition (cost of preparing the return vs the renter's rebate), so WHY avoid it?

That is your right!

I just see no logic in NOT filing a legally required return when NO taxes will be due.

If it is legally required, yes she must file the return.

If she made more than the NJ personal exemption while living in NJ, then, yes, it IS legally required.