Why does the amount of the NC state due looks like it is taken out of the federal refund?

[patrav2375]

For example Federal Refund ($1,500) NC State due is ($350) so when i go to file at the end it states that your Federal Refund in ($1,500). But in reach it said i can not pay my state tax due out of my Federal Refund. 

[pk · Accepted solution]

Each return ( i.e. the federal and the State)    stay/ stand on its  own. The IRS will refund you the  amount owed to you directly without reference to state  while the State will expect you to pay directly what is owed to them.