All inhabitants of DC are required to pay DC income tax according to district law. This implies that you must still pay DC income tax even if you work in DC but reside in Virginia or Maryland. There are a few instances where this rule does not apply. You are exempt from paying DC income tax on your wages if you are a non-resident who works in DC for fewer than 183 days in a year.
It is crucial to keep in mind that you might still need to submit a DC income tax return even if you are not required to pay DC income tax on your salaries. This is due to DC’s so-called “throwback rule.” This law states that if you are a non-resident who works in Washington, DC for fewer than 183 days but your employer is there, your income is “thrown back” to DC and you must submit a DC tax return.
The income tax rates in DC are typically higher than those in Virginia. Rates for the progressive income tax in DC range from 4% to 8.95%. Contrarily, Virginia has a flat income tax rate of 5.75%. Because of this, working in DC and residing in Virginia may result in higher income tax payments than working and living in Virginia.
In conclusion, if you work in DC but reside in another state, you must pay DC income tax on your wages. If you work in DC for less than 183 days in a year, there are exceptions to this requirement. To prevent paying any fines or fees, it is crucial to comprehend the rules and regulations governing DC income tax. Additionally, bear in mind that DC’s income tax rates are often higher than Virginia’s if you are comparing the two states’ income tax rates.