Updated for tax year 2024.
In most U.S. states, you’ll have to file a state tax return. Even though most of us file our taxes every year, it’s easy to be a little confused about them. We’re here to help! We’ve compiled a list of the top questions about state taxes: what they are, how to file them, how to check their status (you can use our interactive map and browse the table below), and more.
State income tax
- What is state income tax?
- State income taxes are taxes enforced by each state’s government.
- They are due every year, usually by April 15.
- What states have no income tax?
- Some states do not have a state individual income tax, so it’s not necessary to file a state tax return. These states include Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
- New Hampshire does not tax individual wages, but it does levy a tax on interest and dividend income, which is currently being phased out and set to be eliminated in 2027. Washington also levies a tax on capital gains in excess of $250,000 per year.
- Which state has the lowest property taxes?
- Hawaii has the lowest median property taxes.
- Which state has the highest property taxes?
- New Jersey has the highest median property taxes.
- What states do not tax retirement income?
- Several states do not tax Social Security benefits or pension payments. These include Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming.
- What states have an inheritance tax?
- There are several states with an inheritance tax. As of tax year 2024, these states include Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
- Iowa passed a bill in 2021 to begin phasing out its inheritance tax, which will be eliminated beginning in 2025.
- What states do not have sales tax?
- There are a few states without a statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Alaska is the only state with no state income tax and no state sales tax; however, some localities impose a local sales tax. New Hampshire will join this group once it phases out its tax on dividend and interest income in 2027.
Filing state taxes
- Do I have to file state taxes?
- If you’re not sure if you need to file a tax return, contact your tax professional or the IRS (1-800-829-1040).
- How do I calculate my state tax refund?
- Use your W-2 from your employer to calculate how much money was taken out of your wages for state taxes.
- Find out what state tax bracket you’re in.
- Research and factor in the allowances offered by your state.
- Take the amount paid from the state tax bracket you fall under and subtract it from the amount you paid.
- The remainder is your state tax refund.
- How do I file state taxes?
- You can either fill out your state tax form by hand and mail it in, or file electronically with an e-filing program or online tax preparation software like TaxAct®. You can also hire a tax professional to help you file your state tax return.
- Can my state tax refund be direct deposited?
- Yes, you can receive your state tax refund via direct deposit.
State refund status
- When will I get my state tax refund?
- The date you receive your tax refund depends on several factors, including the way in which you filed and when you submitted your return.
- If you sent a paper tax return through the mail, it will take longer to receive your refund than if you filed electronically.
- How long does a state refund take?
- The amount of time it takes to receive your state refund can vary from state to state and depends on whether or not you submitted a complete and accurate return.
- How do I check the status of my state refund?
- If you filed your tax return electronically, you can likely check the status of your refund online or by phone.
- If you sent your tax return through the mail, you may have to wait longer for a status check. You may also call or email your state’s Department of Taxation.
- If you filed your taxes with TaxAct, you can check the status of your return at our E-File Status page.
- Where’s my amended state refund?
- Amended state returns can take much longer to receive than amended federal returns.
- The timeline varies from state to state.
- Why did I not receive a state tax refund?
- There are several reasons you may not have received your state tax refund including:
- There was an error.
- You owe past debts.
- You got taken advantage of by a tax scammer — if the IRS needs to contact you, they will almost always do so by mail. If you receive a phone call or email from someone claiming to be the IRS, don’t give them your information, as it could be a scammer trying to steal your tax refund. Learn more about what to do if you’re a victim of tax identity theft.
- Additionally, some states do not have a state individual income tax, so it’s not necessary to file a state tax return. As of 2024, these states include Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming (New Hampshire also does not tax individual wages, but it does tax interest and dividend income).
- There are several reasons you may not have received your state tax refund including:
- Why is my state refund less than what I filed?
- There are several reasons why your refund can be less than what you filed:
- The state tax office may recalculate your form if they notice a problem.
- State refunds can also be lower if you owe unpaid taxes, student loans, child support, alimony, etc.
- There are several reasons why your refund can be less than what you filed:
- Do state and federal refunds come together?
- No. You will receive your federal and state refunds at separate times.
Garnishments
- What is a state tax lien?
- If you do not pay your taxes, the IRS or state can find other means to satisfy tax debts. While both terms fall under the same umbrella, levies and liens have different meanings. A lien is a legal claim against property to secure payment of a tax debt while a levy is the seizure — or garnishment — of property (such as wages, bank accounts, retirement accounts, real estate) to fulfill that debt.
- Will a state tax lien affect my federal refund?
- Yes. Any future federal or state income tax refunds due to you can be seized.
- Who can garnish state tax refunds?
- State and federal government agencies can garnish your state tax refunds in order to pay down a debt. Individual or private creditors may not take your refund.
- Can the federal government take my state tax refund?
- Yes. If you owe past debts, your state tax refund can be withheld.
- Can a hospital take my state refund?
- While hospitals cannot intercept your state tax refund, they can garnish your wages to pay off medical bills.
- Can Social Security benefits be garnished for state taxes?
- The IRS may levy a percentage of your Social Security benefits to pay a tax debt.
Calculating state tax refund with ease
Wondering how much you’ll get back in your state tax refund? Simplify the process with a tax calculator.
If you’re unsure about the complex calculations or the effects of your tax deductions, a tax calculator can simplify everything for you. Just enter your W-2 information, identify your tax bracket, and account for state allowances with ease. Whether you’re filing electronically or submitting a paper return, understanding the status of your state tax refund becomes much simpler with the help of a reliable tax calculator.
