NY Form IT-2105.9 asking for prior yr. tax

[Jones0223]

Hello! Hoping for guidance, I am filing NYS return and my client owes NYS tax for 2019.  Form IT-2105.9 is required to calculate the penalty for underpayment and Line 16 is asking for "Total Tax from 2018 Form IT-201 (total of lines 46 and 58) or Form IT-203 (total of lines 50 and 55)". 

My client does not have nor is she able to get her 2018 tax return from the person who previously filed it.  Is there a way to work around this?  I was going to take the total tax withheld as per her 2018 W2 and subtract her refund and use that as her "Total tax from 2018".

Any guidance on whether that would be the best way to handle this or if there is a better way is appreciated!  

[Dependable · Accepted solution]

If you subtract the refund from total state and city return you probably will be correct.  No matter you will be close.  Th 2105.9 is calculating a penalty at a relatively low rate so I think you'd be fine.