Do I really need to pay WI state tax?

February 11, 2009 7:08 PM

If I interned for 3 months in Seattle but live and go to school in Wisconsin, do I need to pay WI state tax on the money I made over the summer in Washington, which has no state tax?

(posting for mezamashii's significant other)

I interned for three months last summer in Seattle. I made quite a bit of money while I was there but only had to pay federal taxes since Washington has no state tax. However now my father's tax preparer claims I must pay over $800 in Wisconsin state taxes for the money I made in Seattle. Since I am a student and only work for my university during the school year, I paid no state or federal taxes on any of the other money I made last year. Do I really need to pay all that WI state tax on money I never even MADE while I was in Wisconsin? Can you point me to any sites that prove this tax preparer is wrong?

(IANAL, you aren't my tax preparer, yada yada)

posted by mezamashii to work & money (3 comments total)

Yes. It is your income.
posted by mumstheword at 7:24 PM on February 11

Apparently you do.
posted by nave at 7:46 PM on February 11 [1 favorite]

According to the instructions for the return for residents and part-year residents:

Part-year residents
During the time you are a Wisconsin resident, Wisconsin taxes your income from all sources. During the time you aren’t a Wisconsin resident, Wisconsin taxes only your income from Wisconsin sources.

It seems to me you don't need to, but why don't you call the Department of Revenue and ask if you don't trust the tax preparer's advice?

(Upon preview, I think you should definitely consult somebody more qualified than random people on the Internet.)
posted by calistasm at 7:51 PM on February 11