Using the Source column and understanding the meaning of "S" and "N" in Lacerte

You can use the Source column to control the flow of amounts to multi-state tax returns under certain circumstances. The source column is designed primarily for preparing nonresident returns that compare federal or "all sources" income to income sourced specifically to that state.

• Select S from the drop down menu in the source column, along with a state identifier, to add an amount to that specific state's source income.  The "S" stands for state only, meaning it will not affect income shown from "all sources" or on the federal return.
• Select N from the drop down menu in the source column, along with US in the state column, to add the amount to the federal return only. The "N" stands for not a state, and will only affect the federal return.
• Leaving the column blank will allocate the income to both the federal return and the state(s) chosen in the state column.

States that require you report amounts from the federal return, like California, won't be impacted by the use of the "N" identifier.