Americans are required to file a tax return if you have earned over a minimum level of income and meet requirements for age, filing status and income type. Anyone who is not sure whether he or she must submit a return should visit the IRS website for guidance. Those who are not required to file a tax return often should file one anyway because they could qualify for money back from programs like the earned income credit.
Different Kinds Of Tax ReturnIndividuals, businesses and many organizations must file a federal tax return, so they should all get ready for the inevitability of tax season. Although a seemingly complicated process, determining who must file a tax return is relatively easy compared to the process of filing taxes.
Tax FormsThe IRS has thousands of tax forms that augment the well-known 1040, 1040A and 1040 EZ forms. Each form has a matching publication that is purportedly intended to provide instructions for completing the form properly. Different forms are used for reporting income earned from employment, investment income, self-employment income and other sources. For each of those forms, other forms exist to calculate deductions, exemptions, exclusions and other variables that impact the taxpayer's tax obligation for the previous year.
PenaltiesTaxpayers risk being assessed penalties for filing the wrong forms, filing the proper forms late or filing no forms at all. Calculation errors are also the taxpayers responsibility. If a taxpayer pays too little in taxes, the IRS will bill the taxpayer that amount plus penalties, interest and other possible fees.
A taxpayer who has developed a liability with the IRS can be taken to tax court, fined and imprisoned. The IRS can also seize the assets and garnish the wages of a problematic taxpayer, resulting in hardship for the taxpayer and his or her family.
Tax Preparation ServiceCompanies that specialize in the tax code can help a taxpayer comply with the law by filing an accurate and timely return. Many of these services offer online filing, so the IRS receives the return almost instantly and then sends any refund to taxpayers via direct deposit.
No, when filing for the federal income tax return, you do not attach the Schedule A for the state income tax return.
the government
Married filing Jointly
Yes, you can file a state tax return without filing a federal tax return if you meet the state's filing requirements.
April 15
Yes, Georgia requires taxpayers to submit a copy of their federal tax return when filing their state tax return if they are filing a Form 500 (individual income tax return). This helps the Georgia Department of Revenue verify income and deductions reported on the state return. However, if you are filing a Form 500-EZ, you do not need to attach a copy of your federal return.
All states except Colorado, Texas, and Tennesee require a copy of the Federal tax return be attached when paper filing.
Yes, Missouri requires a copy of your federal tax return when you file your state tax return if you are filing a paper return. If you are e-filing, you typically do not need to submit a copy, but you should keep it for your records. It's essential to check the specific requirements for the tax year you are filing, as regulations may change.
YesFiscal Policy
Fiscal Policy
YesFiscal Policy
If you are filing Form 5402EZ or Form 540A, do not attach a copy of your federal return to your California return. If you are filing Form 540 you must attach a copy of your federal return to your California return only if you filed any schedules other than schedule A or schedule B with your federal return. If you are filing form 540NR, you must always attach a complete copy of your federal return to your California return.