How to Figure a State Tax Return
Not every state requires that you file a state income tax because they don't have them. To figure your state income tax return, you will have to get a copy of your federal tax return to do so. It is important that your federal income tax return is filled out correctly; otherwise, errors can easily be made on your state return.
- Fill out your federal income tax return. Be absolutely sure that you do it correctly to minimize errors on your state tax return. Your adjusted gross income will be needed from your federal return to do your state return.
- Fill out the general information of your state tax return form. This includes your name, address, spouse if you have one and any dependents that you are claiming.
- Fill in all the income questions from your federal tax return. The placement of these questions may vary based on your state. No matter where the placement, the words "adjusted gross income" will be in bold to find them easily.
- Fill out the section that asks about credits and deductions that you are eligible for. Credits vary state by state. For instance, Michigan has a credit for stillbirth, while Wisconsin offers homestead credits to anyone that rented a home or room out.
- Fill in the figure of state tax that was taken from your checks. Continue answering all the questions of the return, filling in zero if something doesn't apply to you. Once you have reached the end of the return form, you will either have a return of money coming to you or you will owe your state money.