topic My state refund was much higher than my federal. Why? I’m retired collecting a pension and getting ssi. Thanks in Retirement tax questions

My state refund was much higher than my federal. Why? I’m retired collecting a pension and getting ssi. Thanks

moob85 — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 21:52:51 GMT

Re: My state refund was much higher than my federal. Why? I’m retired collecting a pension and ge...

DavidD66 — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 22:12:23 GMT

It's impossible to say for sure without being able to review your return. Many states don't tax retirement income. If your income and any tax deductions you have is going to remain steady for the foreseeable future, and you would rather have more money during the year, and get a smaller state tax refund, then change your state withholding on your pension.

Re: My state refund was much higher than my federal. Why? I’m retired collecting a pension and ge...

xmasbaby0 — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 22:16:04 GMT

States that tax Social Security benefits:

CO, CT, KS, MN, MO, MT, NB, NM, ND, RI, UT, VT, WV

These states offer varying degrees of income exemptions, but four mirror the federal tax schedule: MN, ND,VT, and WV

States that may tax retirement income from IRA's, pensions, etc.:

AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, GA, HI, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV,

This is a “general” list. Some of these states have complicated laws that exclude certain types of retirement income, or provide certain income exclusions and age deductions. This list does NOT refer to Social Security benefits.