State and federal tax refunds are separate — you file two different returns and get two separate checks
When you file your taxes, you are actually filing two returns: one to the federal government and one to your state (unless you live in a state with no income tax). Each return calculates how much tax you owe separately, and each one can result in a refund. A federal refund and a state refund are not connected to each other — you might get money back from one and owe money to the other.
The reason they are separate is that federal and state governments collect income tax independently. The federal government uses the money for national programs. Your state uses its tax revenue for state programs like schools, roads, and state police. Because they have different budgets and different tax rules, they calculate what you owe differently, and the refunds work independently.
Key Takeaways
- You file a federal tax return and a state tax return as two separate documents, each with its own important date and its own refund.
- State tax rates, deductions, and credits are different from federal ones, so you might owe federal tax while getting a state refund, or vice versa.
- Nine states have no state income tax at all, so residents of those states only file federal returns.
- State refunds typically arrive one to three weeks after your federal refund, though timing varies by state.
- If you file your federal return electronically, you still need to file your state return separately — filing one does not automatically file the other.
Why the amounts are usually different
Your federal refund and state refund are different amounts because the two governments use different tax rates and different rules about what you can deduct. For example, some states allow deductions that the federal government does not, or they tax certain types of income differently. One state might tax retirement income, while another does not. These differences mean that even though you are reporting the same income on both returns, the amount of tax you owe to each government is different.
You might also have paid different amounts in federal and state taxes throughout the year. If your employer withheld too much federal tax but the right amount of state tax, you will get a federal refund but no state refund. The opposite can happen too — you might owe federal tax while the state owes you money.
States with no income tax
Nine states do not collect income tax on wages: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming, and New Hampshire (which taxes only investment income, not wages). If you live in one of these states, you only file a federal return. You will not file a state return or receive a state refund.
Some people who live in these states but worked in another state during the year may still need to file a return in the state where they worked. This is a situation where a tax professional or your state's revenue department can give you specific guidance.
How to file both returns
If you use tax software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct, the software will walk you through both your federal and state returns in the same session. You answer the questions once, and the software fills in both returns. When you are done, you will submit both returns — usually the federal return goes to the IRS electronically, and your state return goes to your state's revenue or tax department.
If you file by mail, you will receive separate forms for federal and state taxes. The federal forms come from the IRS, and state forms come from your state's tax agency. You fill out both sets and mail them to the correct addresses — federal forms go to the IRS address for your region, and state forms go to your state's tax office.
Filing one return does not file the other. Even if you file your federal return electronically, you must separately file your state return — either electronically through your state's website or by mail.
When state refunds arrive
State refunds typically arrive one to three weeks after your federal refund, though this varies significantly by state. Some states process returns quickly; others take longer. If you filed both returns at the same time, your federal refund might arrive in five to seven business days, while your state refund takes three to four weeks.
You can track your state refund through your state's tax agency website, just as you track your federal refund through the IRS website. Most states have a "Where's My Refund" tool on their revenue department's website. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount to check the status.
What to do if your state and federal returns do not match
Sometimes the IRS and your state tax agency disagree about how much you owe. This can happen if you made a mistake on one return but not the other, or if the two agencies interpret a rule differently. If this happens, you might receive a notice from your state saying that your state refund is being reduced or that you owe additional state tax.
If you receive a notice from your state that does not match your federal return, contact your state's tax agency directly. You can usually find the phone number and mailing address on the notice itself. Have a copy of both your federal and state returns ready when you call, so you can explain the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a state refund if I did not file a state return?
No. You must file a state return to receive a state refund. If you are owed money by the state but do not file, the state keeps the money. Some states hold unclaimed refunds for a limited time before sending them to the state's general fund.
What if I moved to a different state during the year?
You may need to file returns in both states — the state where you lived at the beginning of the year and the state where you lived at the end. Each state taxes only the income you earned while living there. Use your state's tax agency website to find out whether you need to file in both states.
Do I have to file a state return if I did not earn much money?
It depends on your state and your income. Each state sets its own income threshold for filing. Even if you are not required to file, you should file if you had taxes withheld, because you will not get a refund unless you file a return.
Why is my state refund smaller than I expected?
Your state may have applied your refund to unpaid state taxes, child support, or other debts you owe to the state. Some states also use refunds to cover outstanding student loans. Check the notice that came with your refund to see whether money was applied to another debt.
Can I file my state return before my federal return?
Yes. You can file your state return independently of your federal return. However, many people wait to file both at the same time because the information is the same on both returns, and it is easier to do them together.