What's the tax filing deadline by state?

Even with the end seeming to be near, the covid-19 pandemic is still playing havoc with people’s lives across the US and tax agencies around the nation are no different. Due to the myriad of tasks the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been tasked with doing over the past year and going forward, the agency gave taxpayers an extension on filing their 2020 federal tax returns.

The new date for filing your federal tax returns is 17 May, but that doesn't mean that you have until then to file your state tax returns. Normally, the 42 states and the District of Columbia, which require residents to file a tax return, try to have their filing deadline coincide with the federal date.

What is the tax filing deadline in my state?

There are nine states that don't have income tax, but two of them still require taxpayers to file a tax return under certain circumstances. In New Hampshire and Tennessee, if an individual taxpayer receives more than $2,400 or $1,250, respectively, in interest and dividend income, they have to file. In the other seven states taxpayers technically only have to file a federal income tax return. These include Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming, but you might not be off the hook completely.

In the remaining “taxable” 42 states and the District of Columbia, you will need to file a tax return if you reside there or are a resident. Some states have already changed their filing deadlines to synch with the federal deadline. The IRS provides a list of state tax agencies to check what the filing deadline is where you are a resident.

You must file a return where you are a resident and where you reside, in addition to your federal tax return

Americans move around to go where the work is, but that doesn't mean that they stop residing in their home state. So, for example, if you work in Nevada but you are a resident of California, you still need to report the income you earned in Nevada to the tax agency in California as well as your federal tax filing. Likewise, if you are a resident of Florida but work in Georgia, you will need to file a non-resident Georgia return even though Florida is a tax-free state.

Third stimulus check: latest updates

You can get the latest information on the third stimulus check, and updates on the possibility of a fourth direct payment, by following our dedicated live blog.

You'll also find news on other provisions in Biden’s economic-aid package, such as an enhanced child tax credit that offers qualifying families up to $3,000 per child aged six to 17, and $3,600 per child below six.