Filing Multiple State Tax Returns – How to Do State Taxes When You Lived in Two States
by
J1 SummerTaxBack
February 24, 2022
⏱️ 8-minute read
🗂️ Filing taxes in multiple states doesn’t have to be stressful 😌
Here’s everything you need to know about how to file your state tax returns when you lived or worked in more than one U.S. state.
In this article, you’ll discover:
✅ A handy guide to state tax residency
✅ Who must file multiple state tax returns
✅ When to file your nonresident state tax return
✅ How to easily prepare your nonresident state tax return(s) online with J1 SummerTaxBack
🌍 How remote work affects your state taxes
COVID-19 turned the work world upside down.
Before the pandemic, most employees worked from an office or fixed location. Remote work was rare — and “Zoom meetings” were almost unheard of!
But everything changed fast. Millions of people across the U.S. had to pivot overnight to working from home.
Today, even as restrictions ease, many workers still choose to work remotely or move freely between states.
💡 But here’s the catch: your remote work location can affect how much state tax you owe!
A survey by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) found that over 70% of U.S. workers didn’t realize that working in a different state than their employer can impact their state tax filing requirements.
And unsurprisingly, the situation can get even more complicated for temporary visa holders, like F-1 and J-1 participants. 👀
🇺🇸 If you earned income in more than one state, you may need to file multiple tax returns
If you worked in one state and lived in another — or moved during the year — you might need to file more than one state tax return.
👉 In this guide, we’ll cover everything J-1 and F-1 visa holders should know about filing taxes across multiple states.
📑 Do nonresident aliens have to file a tax return in the U.S.?
Yes!
Every worker in the United States — resident or nonresident — must file tax documents with the IRS.
If you earned income, you must file a federal tax return.
And even if you didn’t earn any income, nonresidents are still required to file Form 8843.
💵 Do nonresidents also need to file a state tax return?
It depends on the state where you lived or worked.
In addition to federal taxes, many states also impose their own state income tax.
However, there are nine states with no income tax:
🌴 Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
🔍 With J1 SummerTaxBack, you can easily find out if you need to file a nonresident state tax return.
🧭 Is my state tax residency the same as my federal tax residency?
Not always.
Your tax residency status determines how your income is taxed.
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Resident aliens are taxed on their worldwide income.
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Nonresident aliens are taxed only on income earned within the U.S. or connected to U.S. trade or business.
🧮 Federal tax residency
To determine your federal tax residency, you must take the Substantial Presence Test (SPT).
You’ll be considered a resident for tax purposes if you were physically present in the U.S. for:
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At least 31 days during the current year, and
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183 days during the 3-year period that includes the current year and the two prior years, using this formula:
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All days present in the current year
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1/3 of the days present in the previous year
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1/6 of the days present two years ago
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⚠️ Exceptions:
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F-1 and J-1 students do not count their first 5 calendar years in the U.S.
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J-1 teachers or researchers exclude 2 of the last 6 years.
You are also a resident alien if you hold a Green Card.
🏡 Understanding state tax residency
Each state has its own rules to determine state residency.
Generally speaking:
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Your permanent home address (used for taxes, mail, or official records) defines your domicile.
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If you lived there for at least six months, you’re considered a full-year resident.
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If you earned income from another state but didn’t live there, you’re a nonresident of that state.
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If you moved during the year, you’re a part-year resident in both states.
📍 Some states follow federal residency rules — meaning if you’re a federal nonresident, you’ll also be a state nonresident.
📍 Others, like New York, California, Massachusetts, and Virginia, use additional criteria to determine residency.
We know — it can be confusing 😅
That’s where J1 SummerTaxBack comes in. Our platform helps J-1 participants determine their exact state residency status and know which states they need to file in.
💻 Simplify your state taxes with J1 SummerTaxBack
With J1 SummerTaxBack, you can:
✅ Automatically calculate your federal and state residency status
✅ Learn if you need to file taxes in one or multiple states
✅ Prepare all your state and federal forms online
✅ File securely and get your maximum legal tax refund
Because your time in the U.S. should be about making memories — not stressing over tax paperwork 💙