State income taxes paid during the year are an itemized deduction reported on federal Schedule A. The total of all your Schedule A itemized deductions must be greater then the standard deduction for your filing status to have any tax benefit.
Standard deductions for 2015
- Single - $6,300 add $1,550 if age 65 or older
- Married Filing Separately - $6,300 add $1,250 if age 65 or older
- Married Filing Jointly - $12,600 add $1,250 for each spouse age 65 or older
- Head of Household - $9,250 add $1,550 if age 65 or older
