Free online filing is available for state tax returns, too

April 14, 2013

Do you file state taxes in addition to your federal tax return?

Then today's Daily Tax Tip is for you. Your state provides a way for you to file your taxes for free.

Clip on map to go to Federation of Tax Administrators' interactive version.

Seven states — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming — don't tax wage income. Two states, New Hampshire and Tennessee, tax only dividend and interest income.

In the states that do collect taxes each year on their residents' earnings, all offer either return filing directly with the state, similar to the free forms option the Internal Revenue Service provides, or a free filing program in conjunction with private software companies as in the IRS' federal Free File option.

Ignoring online state free filing: But many state taxpayers are ignoring their states' free tax filing options.

A main reason that taxpayers aren't using their states' free tax fling oppotunities is that the programs often are unwieldy.

"You have to navigate some pretty rough waters to make sure you get your free tax filings," Verenda Smith, deputy director of the Federation of Tax Administrators, told Stateline.

Have you ever used your state's free online filing program? How did it work?

If you've never taken advatange of your state's free file option, why not?

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The More Tax Posts tab at the top of this page will take you to, well, more tax posts. You also can search below for a tax topic.

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Tax Season 2026 Continues!

We made it. Tax Day 2025 is finally over. For most of us. When the filing season started on Jan. 26, millions who were expecting refunds filed immediately. Most of us got our returns to the Internal Revenue Service by April 15. But plenty of taxpayers also got extensions. They are looking at an Oct. 15 filing deadline.

Those procrastinating filers aren’t a problem. In fact, the IRS appreciates taxpayers who take time to fill out their 1040 forms correctly. It also is grateful that tax submissions are spread out a bit, especially now that the IRS is a leaner agency. Processing returns is easier when they arrive throughout the year instead of in massive bunches.

But enough about Uncle Sam’s tax collection issues. The focus now is on all y’all who filed for extensions, giving you another six months to complete your return. Since your new mid-October due date will be here before you know it, let’s get started now on meeting it.

The ol’ blog is here to help you finish up your extended Form 1040. You can start with January’s tax tips page, which has links to the rest of the year’s tips by-month collections. You also can peruse various tax categories for more tailored advice by clicking on the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of this (and every) page.

And to make sure you don’t miss your new filing deadline, the count-down clock below will let you know just how much time you to file by Oct. 15. At the latest.e. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

Credits/Deductions

Filing and Paying Taxes

Tax Brackets/Inflation

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