The choice to itemize deductions would be made based on which gets you a the lower tax bill and as a results a refund. So do whichever one works best for you.
In the U.S., your federal income tax refund does not count as taxable income for the next year. If you receive a refund from your state, and you itemized your deductions on the federal return, then the state refund will count as income on your federal return. (If you didn't itemize, then your state refund won't count as income.)
A Federal income tax refund is not taxable income (for state or Federal purposes) in the year a taxpayer receives it.A state income tax refund for a previous tax year, however, may be another story. It will be Federal taxable income in the year in which the taxpayer receives the refund, if he itemized deductions on the previous year's Federal income tax return.Suppose a taxpayer files his 2010 Form 1040, and itemizes his deductions. Following the instructions for the 1040, he deducts $500 withheld as state income tax (shown on his W-2) in computing his 2010 Federal taxable income. He then prepares his state income tax return and discovers that he owes only $435 in state income tax, and is due a refund of $65 (the difference between the $500 withheld and his actual liability of $435). His actual state tax liability was only $435, but he had deducted $500 from his 2010 Federal taxable income, so when he gets the $65 refund in 2011, he must include it in 2011 income for Federal income tax purposes to make up the difference.However, if the state refund was for a tax year for which the taxpayer did not itemize deductions on his Federal tax refund (i.e., he took the standard deduction), it is not taxable income to him.
If you itemize deductions on your federal income tax return, you have the choice of claiming a deduction either for state income taxes or state sales taxes (but not both). Sales taxes would include those for groceries. Note that this is a deduction, not a refund or credit.
I assume that this question is about an income tax refund, and not about an income tax return (which is the form you file with income tax authorities every year, along with any income taxes you still owe.)A Federal income tax refund is not taxable income (for state or Federal purposes) in the year a taxpayer receives it.A state income tax refund for a previous tax year, however, may be another story. It will be Federal taxable income in the year in which the taxpayer receives the refund, if he itemized deductions on the previous year's Federal income tax return.Suppose a taxpayer files his 2010 Form 1040, and itemizes his deductions. Following the instructions for the 1040, he deducts $500 withheld as state income tax (shown on his W-2) in computing his 2010 Federal taxable income. He then prepares his state income tax return and discovers that he owes only $435 in state income tax, and is due a refund of $65 (the difference between the $500 withheld and his actual liability of $435). His actual state tax liability was only $435, but he had deducted $500 from his 2010 Federal taxable income, so when he gets the $65 refund in 2011, he must include it in 2011 income for Federal income tax purposes to make up the difference.However, if the state refund was for a tax year for which the taxpayer did not itemize deductions on his Federal tax refund (i.e., he took the standard deduction), it is not taxable income to him.
No, when filing for the state income taxes, you will receive your federal income tax refund as well as your state income tax refund.
Yes. State refund must be claimed as income on your federal return.
If your deductions are higher than your income, you will have a negative taxable income. This means you won't owe any taxes, but you also won't receive a tax refund.
If you have more deductions than income on your tax return, you may end up with a negative taxable income. This means you won't owe any taxes and may even receive a refund for the excess deductions.
You do not have to report any income tax refund on any tax forms, it is not income.
If you took the amount as a deduction as State taxes on your federal return originally (say refund is from a prior year), then getting it back now is reported as income.
I can't answer for all states, but in VT the amount of Federal tax refunds are not taxable on the state return. Further in that VT piggy-backs the federal return. (Uses the federal tax as basis for computing state tax), it would take some tricky math to calculate. The state refund is taxable on the federal return (if you itemized deductions the year before), so in that instance, the amount of the state refund for that year would, in fact, be taxed on the federal return and thus that portion would be again taxed by the state (VT) as a result of the "piggy-backing" method used by the state.
Whether or not you will receive a tax refund this year depends on various factors, such as your income, deductions, and credits. It is best to consult with a tax professional or use tax software to determine if you are eligible for a refund.