If I have $0 refund on Federal and $0 refund on state (Ohio), do I even have to file an Ohio tax return?

[SamiaI · Accepted solution]

If you're getting a $0 refund from your state, you may be tempted not to file, especially if it costs more to file your state than what you'd get back from them. State tax law – not your refund amount – determines whether or not you're required to file.

Many states require that you file a state tax return if you filed a federal return, regardless of your anticipated refund amount. Please see the answer to question number 6, if you are required to file an Ohio state return- https://www.tax.ohio.gov/ohio_individual/individual/faqs/individual.aspx

[Hal_Al]

The official Filing Requirements From the Ohio 2017 Instructions

You do not have to file an Ohio income tax return if...

-           Your Ohio adjusted gross income (line 3) is less than or equal to $0.

-           The total of your senior citizen credit, lump sum distribution credit and joint filing credit (Ohio Schedule of Credits, lines 4, 5 and 12) is equal to or exceeds your income tax liability (Ohio IT 1040, line 8c) and you are not liable for school district income tax.

-         Your exemption amount (Ohio IT 1040, line 4) is the same as or more than your Ohio adjusted gross income (line 3).

Unofficially, you do not need to file an Ohio return,  If your federal adjusted gross income is less than $12,950 ( $15,250 Married filing or  $10,650 if you are someone's dependent).