Why am I not getting a state tax refund when I was taxed by my state on my income?

[angelicagandy]

My W-2 shows that I got taxed by the state. I should be getting that amount back, but when I go to review my taxes it does not show my amount that I should be getting back based on my W-2. I do owe state taxes, because of unemployment benefits. But I should still see in the end on my tax return review that I'm getting my state taxes back from my job. But it does not show it. It just shows my federal amount and the state tax amount I owe because of unemployment benefits, which I was told will be set up to be paid at a later date (my sister set hers up to be paid at a later date and it was not deducted from her tax return).

[SweetieJean]

Why do you think you should be getting back the state taxes that were withheld on your W-2?   Your wages are taxable, but the amount withheld may not be enough to cover the taxes due on them, as well as on your UE comp.  TT gives you credit for those withheld taxes against what you owe, but you may still have a balance due.  Look at Form 1040, lines 16 (taxes due) and 25 (taxes withheld).

2020 Form 1040 (irs.gov)

[SweetieJean]

Also keep in mind that Federal and state tax laws differ, so you can get a refund from one, but owe taxes to the other.