[DanPatrick10]

I got a request for tax return for 2004 in the mail from the Franchise Tax Office in California.

In the letter was a prefilled 540A with the incorrect gross income amount. I was not a resident of California because I was in the military, however, I had two jobs outside the military in 2004. I called the FTB hotline and explained that to them. I preferred to cancel the request for tax return, but they told me I need to fill out a 540NR. I guess they want me to do this because they think I own them, but they probably owe me.

I downloaded a 540NR Long and 540NR Short from their website. I determined that I should do the 540NR Short because I was in the military and I need military pay adjustment.

On Step 4, line number 12 you enter the total wages from all your W-2 forms. I entered my total wages from my civilian jobs.

Line 13 asks for your federal adjusted gross income. I entered the amount from my 1040EZ.

Line 14 asks you to enter unemployment compensation and military pay adjustment. I entered the military pay from my W-2.

I am stuck on Line 17. This is your adjusted gross income from all sources, and you subtract line 14 from 13.

The problem is I just realized that I received one of my W-2s very late. I didn't report it on my 1040EZ, so now there will be a descrepancy between line 12 and line 17. The numbers on both lines should match.

Normally, I would just call the FTB hotline and ask them for help. I am asking for help here because what I want to know is if the state communicates with the federal government. Will the California Franchise Tax Board tell the federal government that I didn't report wages from my other job?

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Report the CORRECT figures on the Form 540NR. The California FTB and IRS do communicate. Further, the IRS has a copy of that extra W-2.

You need to amend your 2004 return and add the extra W-2. It's possible your additional tax is minimal or you may even get a small refund.

[DanPatrick10]

Thank you for your help.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Glad to help!