Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Jun 3, 2019 5:05:15 PM

If I live in a state (Texas) that is listed as not having income tax what exactly does that mean? Do I still file a return?

I know this sounds like a really stupid question, but I've lived in Texas for over 30 years and I've always filed a tax return. I'm self employed and on a few occasions I've had to file for an extension of time to send in my return. I would go through the process in Turbo Tax Home and Business and send in my estimated amount that I owed, no problems. This year I needed to file for an extension and I went through the same process as before, filling in the amount I estimated that I would owe the government, and when I clicked on "continue" a screen came up that said Texas doesn't have an income tax (or something to that effect) you are not required to file for an extension. Now I'm VERY confused about what to do especially since today is the deadline to file for an extension. PLEASE help me.

0 1 333
1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
Jun 3, 2019 5:05:16 PM

Texas does not have income tax. You do not have to file a state tax return for Texas.

However, Texas residents have to pay Federal tax and file a federal tax return. You have to file an extension if you cannot file your federal tax return by April 15, 2019. The extension is for your Federal tax return. The screen you saw in turboTax is to inform you that Texas does not have a state income tax. 

1 Replies
Expert Alumni
Jun 3, 2019 5:05:16 PM

Texas does not have income tax. You do not have to file a state tax return for Texas.

However, Texas residents have to pay Federal tax and file a federal tax return. You have to file an extension if you cannot file your federal tax return by April 15, 2019. The extension is for your Federal tax return. The screen you saw in turboTax is to inform you that Texas does not have a state income tax.