# Mariner taxes **URL:** \ **Category:** Professional Mariner Forum\ **Created:** [March 24, 2023, 12:58am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710 "2023-03-24T00:58:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HenryC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9fc348/32.png) [@HenryC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/HenryC)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 12:58am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/1 "2023-03-24T00:58:22Z")
Last year I worked for companies in VA and MD and they didn’t take out state taxes. Using Turbo Tax, I filed my federal return and following its prompts, I filed state returns for those states plus for NY where I live. Is that correct? ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Seadog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/67e7ee/32.png) [@Chief\_Seadog](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Chief_Seadog)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 1:19am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/2 "2023-03-24T01:19:50Z")
In a nutshell, if you worked on a tug or ship that ran interstate (between states or foreign), state taxes should not have been taken out. The only state you needed to file was the state you resided in. ---
**Author:** ![New3M](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/new3m/32/394_2.png) [@New3M](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/New3M)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 1:53am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/3 "2023-03-24T01:53:08Z")
I wouldn’t file for VA or MD unless you want them to take more money than NY is already going to take. ---
**Author:** ![CoastalTrader](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/coastaltrader/32/71776_2.png) [@CoastalTrader](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/CoastalTrader)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 2:05am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/4 "2023-03-24T02:05:45Z")
The issue raised is State Tax Reciprocity. A cursory glance revealed that NY has no reciprocity agreements. Although it’s not a simple thing, you may have accidentally done it correctly, but complicated tax situations usually beg for professional help. You might consider upgrading your tax preparation. ---
**Author:** ![jdcavo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/jdcavo/32/108_2.png) [@jdcavo](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/jdcavo)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 2:09am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/5 "2023-03-24T02:09:19Z")
> [@HenryC](#): > > Is that correct? Are you looking for advice from a [sea lawyer](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/what-is-a-sea-lawyer/65693/12)? If so you’re in the right place. ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Seadog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/67e7ee/32.png) [@Chief\_Seadog](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Chief_Seadog)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 2:33am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/6 "2023-03-24T02:33:40Z")
> [@CoastalTrader](#): > > The issue raised is State Tax Reciprocity I disagree. The issue is a transportation worker engaged in interstate, coastwise, intercoastal, noncontiguous, or foreign trade. [49 USC 14503: Withholding State and local income tax by certain carriers (house.gov)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title49-section14503&num=0&edition=prelim) ---
**Author:** ![shipengr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/shipengr/32/485_2.png) [@shipengr](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/shipengr)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 2:41am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/7 "2023-03-24T02:41:49Z")
Hey, sea lawyers aren’t always wrong, and given they’re almost always pro bono it’s the best deal around!! (Its their client base I’d be leery of) That being said…I’m my experience, TurboTax is not programmed with the nuances of the average mariners tax situation. OP would be wise to find a tax professional who is. ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Seadog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/67e7ee/32.png) [@Chief\_Seadog](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Chief_Seadog)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 2:46am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/8 "2023-03-24T02:46:10Z")
On TurboTax’s Community Forum: [I am a merchant mariner. I live in Washington state but worked for companies based in Massachusetts, Florida and Maryland. Do I need to file any state returns? (intuit.com)](https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/state-taxes/discussion/i-am-a-merchant-mariner-i-live-in-washington-state-but-worked-for-companies-based-in-massachusetts/00/392214) ---
**Author:** ![CoastalTrader](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/coastaltrader/32/71776_2.png) [@CoastalTrader](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/CoastalTrader)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 2:50am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/10 "2023-03-24T02:50:33Z")
Good luck with that. I’m not sure you ready to receive your Sea Lawyer diploma just yet ---
**Author:** ![MAK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MAK](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/MAK)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 2:52am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/11 "2023-03-24T02:52:37Z")
That’s a terrible answer ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Seadog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/67e7ee/32.png) [@Chief\_Seadog](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Chief_Seadog)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 3:01am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/12 "2023-03-24T03:01:25Z")
I agree, those that answered the guy’s question on TurboTax’s forum didn’t understand the nature of his work, i.e., transportation worker engaged in interstate trade. The OP’s question has been answered before on this forum. ---
**Author:** ![MAK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MAK](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/MAK)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 3:05am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/13 "2023-03-24T03:05:52Z")
> [@shipengr](#): > > Hey, sea lawyers aren’t always wrong, and given they’re almost always pro bono it’s the best deal around!! (Its their client base I’d be leery of) > > That being said…I’m my experience, TurboTax is not programmed with the nuances of the average mariners tax situation. OP would be wise to find a tax professional who is. You don’t really need a tax professional these days. It’s a nice luxury if you can find a good one that is accepting new clients, or you have a standing relationship with a good one. Information is pretty easily accessed nowadays. It just takes a little work. Most people have terrible tax professionals and just don’t pay attention. A good one is a worthwhile investment, but good ones don’t need new clients. ---
**Author:** ![shipengr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/shipengr/32/485_2.png) [@shipengr](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/shipengr)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 3:14am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/14 "2023-03-24T03:14:45Z")
I definitely agree with you. I actually used TurboTax most of my sea going career until I had some more complex international income tax considerations that I just didn’t want to get bogged down in interpreting the code myself. But honestly the mariner related state income tax things are pretty decently covered in prior threads. Without trying to sound to much like Shipengr Esq., basically if your on a ship meeting the criteria of whatever the USC I’m not going to look up says (pretty sure it’s in 46?), the State of your employer shouldn’t withhold any state income tax, and you should file in the state in which you reside. ---
**Author:** ![CoastalTrader](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/coastaltrader/32/71776_2.png) [@CoastalTrader](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/CoastalTrader)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 3:23am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/15 "2023-03-24T03:23:45Z")
But don’t overlook 49 U.S.C. §14503 (b)(2)(B). The 50% rule. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2023, 6:30pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/16 "2023-03-24T18:30:59Z")
> [@HenryC](#): > > Is that correct? If they didn’t take out state taxes why did you file in those states? ---
**Author:** ![HenryC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9fc348/32.png) [@HenryC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/HenryC)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 2:04am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/17 "2023-03-25T02:04:30Z")
I searched for the answer but I couldn’t find this specific situation - not state withholding but filing in other states. I see now that I made a mistake and should have just filed in NY. Lesson learned. ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Seadog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/67e7ee/32.png) [@Chief\_Seadog](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Chief_Seadog)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 2:38am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/18 "2023-03-25T02:38:01Z")
Just file it away for future reference. If you had worked in only one state, I would guarantee the company would have taken out taxes for that state. As you worked multiple states, that changed the situation. ---
**Author:** ![PHQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed8c4c/32.png) [@PHQ](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/PHQ)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2023, 11:41am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/19 "2023-03-30T11:41:34Z")
Living in Maryland near DC, I have worked in Maryland, DC, and Virginia. By local agreement, only the state of residence gets taxes. But, other states have other rules. Other states and localities want taxes from truck drivers carrying loads on their highways from and to out-of-state locations, and plumbers coming into their village to fix a leak. Some employees needed two city stickers on their cars - one for where they lived and one where they were employed. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2023, 10:20pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/20 "2023-03-30T22:20:35Z")
> [@PHQ](#): > > Other states and localities want taxes from truck drivers carrying loads on their highways from and to out-of-state locations They may WANT that but they can’t enforce that. There are federal laws prohibiting taxing transportation workers on interstate runs. ---
**Author:** ![PHQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed8c4c/32.png) [@PHQ](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/PHQ)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2023, 11:13pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710/21 "2023-03-30T23:13:23Z")
My memory is from years ago when Indiana was trying to enforce it. I had a weekday job in Chicago, Illinois and worked weekends in adjacent Lake County, Indiana. Both employers were in Illinois, so that’s who got the taxes. In winter, the trucks at the Indiana plant were left locked overnight with engines idling, to avoid the task of starting them in the frigid morning weather. The gasoline was cheaper than a service call. [Next page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/mariner-taxes/65710.md?page=2)