Do I need to file state taxes?

In the U.S., most residents will file at least two income tax returns: federal and state. However, not all state treasuries require you to file state income taxes. Each one has its own rules and strategies for generating revenue, and some have elected not to collect income taxes from their residents.

To find out the tax filing requirements of your specific state, click here to learn more.

States That Don't Have Income Tax

The following states don't require state income tax returns to be filed:

• Alaska
• Florida
• Nevada
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Washington
• Wyoming

New Hampshire and Tennessee are also two states that don't charge income taxes on earned income. However, they still tax investment earnings such as interest, capital gains, and dividends. That means that if you’ve made any money from the sale of stocks or from other assets within your investment portfolio, then you'd have to file a state tax return.

How to File Your State Income Taxes

If you do live in a state that requires you to file state income taxes, then you can generally do this at the same time you file your federal income tax return. Since most of the information used to complete your federal tax refund will be used for your state return, it's generally the fastest and most efficient to file them both in parallel.