State Tax Returns, Deadlines, Extensions

State income tax returns can differ significantly depending on where you live. Some states, like Florida and Texas, don't have any income tax at all, which simplifies things for residents there. Other states have more complex systems and may require different forms and procedures.

For detailed information about each state's tax requirements, check out the page on states and taxes or use the navigation below. Remember, you need to file your state and federal tax returns together online by Tax Day in April. If you miss this deadline, you can still e-file until the October deadline, but after that, you'll need to file by mail.

State Income
Tax Returns

Important: On eFile.com, you can prepare and e-file your federal tax return for the current year, along with all state income tax forms and schedules. Here’s how it works:

  • Federal and State Returns Together: Most states, except California, require that state income tax returns be e-filed together with your federal income tax return for the current year. This means you can’t e-file a state return unless you are also e-filing your federal return.

  • Preparing State Returns Separately: eFile.com does allow you to prepare state tax returns for the current year separately if you are not e-filing your federal return. However, you won’t be able to e-file these state returns unless you e-file your federal return at the same time.

  • Reason for the Policy: This policy is set by the IRS and state tax agencies to ensure accuracy and data verification since tax data is often shared between the federal and state agencies.

  • Consequences of Rejection: If your federal return is rejected, your state returns are likely to be rejected as well.

By preparing both your federal and state returns together on eFile.com, you avoid the need to mail any forms.

Prepare, File State Return(s) Only

Filing a State Tax Return or Tax Extension

Below is a state income tax navigation chart that allows you to easily pick the right route to either:

  • Prepare and eFile your state income tax return(s).
  • Prepare ONLY one or more state income tax returns online and mail them to the state(s).
  • Check on the tax refund status for a given state.
  • Find out how to prepare a state tax extension.
  • Prepare and file a state tax amendment(s).
  • Pay state taxes online - this can serve as a state extension as well.
  • Check, compare state tax brackets.
State Income Tax Returns, Extensions, Amendments, Payments
When Is the Tax Deadline?
State Tax Deadlines and the IRS deadlines.
Most states have the April due date for tax returns like the IRS, but some have May deadlines. However, since most states can only be e-filed together with an IRS return as per IRS/state policy, not eFile.com policy, all your state income tax returns should be e-filed by that same April date.
Estimate Your State Income Taxes for Free!
Start State Income Tax Calculators
B: Prepare and eFile one or all state income tax returns with your IRS return: eFileIT now!
Only eFile.com has ONE low price for ALL state returns, not one price for each state like TurboTax® or H&R Block®.
Most state income tax returns are due by April 15, with a few exceptions. However, since the current year IRS return is due by that date, all your state income tax returns should be prepared and e-filed by that same date. Instead of preparing your state taxes on your own and mailing the forms in, use the eFile platform and eFileIT now with your federal return. Compare and save: up to $50 for ONE state on Turbo or Block*) versus only $29.95 for ALL states at eFile.com - start free here.
B: Prepare online one or many state ONLY tax return(s) then print and mail in your state returns - see addresses under "F" below.
You can use the eFile Tax App to prepare your current tax year state tax returns online. With the exception of California, you can NOT e-file them without also e-filing the IRS return, even if you e-field your return already elsewhere. This is an IRS/state policy, not an eFile.com policy. Learn how to ONLY prepare one or more state returns on eFile.com!
Should you file or do you even need to file an IRS and/or state tax extension? If filing an extension is advantageous for you, find out how your state handles tax extensions.
Click on the state map below and learn about how your state handles tax amendments. They can not be e-filed with most states, but some states use the regular income tax form and you will just need to indicate that it is an amendment. The state tax forms are listed here on eFile.com under each state on the state amendment page.
Click on the state map below and learn about how you can pay state taxes - in many cases, online. Online state income tax payments can also serve as filing a state tax extension. See more above under "C."
F: State Mailing Addresses
We have links to state mailing addresses listed on each state page; click on the map below for your state(s). Once you are on the state page, look toward the bottom for the state mailing address.
G: When to File a State Resident Return?
Generally, if you reside in this state during a tax year, you will need to file a tax return. If you were a part-year resident of a state, you will need to file one or more part-year resident return(s) if:
  • You moved from one state to another state - file a part-year resident tax return for both states- OR
  • You lived in multiple states - file a part-year resident return for each state.

When you prepare and e-file with eFile.com, we will help you report this information on your return by reporting your change of address during the tax interview.

H: How to File State Returns as a Resident of a State Without Income Taxes
You might be living in a state that does not require a state income tax return (Florida, Texas etc.). The eFile Tax App will not prompt you to prepare a state tax return in that case. However, you might have worked or had income from a state during the year that does require you to file a state income tax return called a nonresident state return.
  • Contact us if you need to file a state tax return even though you reside in a state without income taxes. For example, you receive taxable state income from that state, you need to claim a state rebate, etc.
See an overview on how states compare in regard to income tax brackets, rates, and standard deductions.
New: State Calculators with personal state income tax rates with our brand new calculators for all states with income taxes.
A list of States with itemized tax deductions.
J: State Payments
State payments made in the form of tax refunds, welfare or disaster payments might have to be reported on state income tax returns but are not required on federal income tax returns according to the IRS.

Interactive State Map

Click on one or more of the states in the map below to visit a specific state page.

When to File a Nonresident State Tax Return

You may need to file a nonresident tax return for each state in which you worked, but did not reside. For example, if you lived in one state and worked in another, you will usually need to file a resident return for the state in which you lived and a nonresident return for the state in which you worked.

Here are other situations where you may need to file a nonresident state return:

  • You earned income in a state that is not your resident state.
  • Your employer incorrectly withheld taxes for a state that is not your resident state.
  • You had taxable gambling winnings in a state that is not your resident state.
  • You owned rental property in a state that is not your resident state.
  • You are in a partnership or are a shareholder in an S-Corporation that is based in a state that is not your resident state.
  • You received income from an estate or trust that has interest in a state that is not your resident state.

Did you know? On eFile.com, you can file your resident state return, a nonresident state return, and as many additional state returns as you need for one low price! Compare this to other platforms which charge per state, not one flat rate. You may need this if you live in one state and work in another or if you moved states and earned income in each.

You generally have to file a return for the state where your employer is located, regardless of whether or not you also work there. This applies for remote employees; you will file your state return for the state you live in, or where your domicile is located, and a nonresident return for the state the employer is located in.

Note: This is not the case for remote, independent contractors. If you receive nonemployee compensation on a 1099 form, such as 1099-NEC, you only pay applicable state tax for your resident state. If you work remotely for a company in another state on contract - you do not receive a W-2 - then you do not have taxes withheld and will instead owe federal taxes, resident state taxes, and self-employment taxes.

If your income form lists any state other than your resident state, you would file a nonresident return for that state and a resident return for your state. The income gets reported on the nonresident return where the income was earned; many states - not all - have laws in place that prevent double taxation so you only pay state income tax on a portion of the income. eFile.com handles this for you; we will help you prepare your federal and multiple state returns and you can be certain that you will not pay any more tax than you are legally required to.

How to File One or More State Returns

This is one of the greatest values offered by eFile.com. When you use eFile, you can prepare as many resident, part-year resident, and nonresident returns as you need based on your situation for one low price. Other popular tax preparation websites charge up to $50 per state return. For a taxpayer who needs to file five state returns, that’s a total of $250 for all those returns, not including federal, versus one low price of $29.95 on eFile.com for all state returns.

*) Subject to change.

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