Can I (my son) File only State (IL) return to get tax refund

[JayKP]

Not a product specific or e-file question... but, my son worked in summer and got W-2 (show zero tax paid to fed), which is much less than $14600, so he not need to file federal return. The W-2 also show tax were paid to IL. As the income is less than IL min income for return, he may entitled to get the IL tax paid from pay. So my question is, without using TT, can i just file IL tax return on IL Revenue website or may I just do this with paper copy and mail?

Thanks

[MaryK4]

Yes, you can file the Illinois return on their website File IL-1040 in MyTax Illinois to get the refund.  You may have to paper file if this is his first tax return. 

[xmasbaby0]

Illinois is going to want a copy of his federal return to go with the state return.  Even if he is below the filing threshold for federal, he can file to seek a refund of federal tax in box 2 of his W-2.  And he can seek a refund from IL of the amount in box 17.   You cannot e-file a state return unless you have successfully e-filed a federal return that was accepted by the IRS.

Or....if you want to try preparing only an IL return on the IL tax site, give it whirl---not sure if it will work or not.

[JayKP]

@xmasbaby0 Thanks for reply.

box 2 is empty (no value). Box 17 has value, the tax paid to IL. And I am not planning to use TT for this if not need to file Fed return. If I can file only state without filing fed, then i will use IL Revenue website to file it (or send paper copy).

[JayKP]

Thanks @MaryK4