Find out if you have to file a Mississippi income tax return when you file your federal
As if filing a federal tax return weren’t complicated enough, the states have to go and add their own tax forms on top of it.
Oftentimes the most complicated thing about state taxes is figuring out whether you have to file at all. There are two different types of state tax returns you have to look out for: resident and nonresident returns.
If you are a Mississippi resident, then you have to file a Mississippi return. This return will tax you on all of your income, no matter where it was earned.
If you moved during the year either into or out of Mississippi, you will have to file a part-year resident return that taxes you on all of your income for the portion of the year that you were a Mississippi resident. You will also have to file a part-year resident return in the state that you moved to/from.
If you are not a Mississippi resident but earned income in Mississippi then you have to file a nonresident return. While this return will require you to report your total income, it will only tax you on the income you earned in Mississippi. Do note that if your allowable deductions and exemptions are greater than your Mississippi income, you do not need to file a nonresident return.
If you worked in multiple states during the tax year, your W-2 should tell you how much money you earned in each state.
But sometimes, even if you are not required to file a Mississippi tax return, you could benefit from doing so. For example, if your W-2 states that Mississippi income tax was withheld from your pay over the course of the tax year, you should file a Mississippi return so you can get that money back in the form of an income.
Gambling winnings are an exception to this rule. If you’re a nonresident and the only income you earned in Mississippi was gambling winnings, you don’t need to file a Mississippi state return. Similarly, if you are a Mississippi resident, you don’t need to report gambling winnings as income on your Mississippi state return.
Also note that you cannot get a refund for taxes withheld from gambling winnings by Mississippi casinos.
Remember, just like your federal return, your Mississippi return is due April 15th. Don’t be late! Get started on it today.
Photo via Kevin on Flickr.
I have been a student in MO for 4 years living on campus and I have earned income in MO, but I still have my MS license. Am I still considered a resident of MS?
Hi Nicholas,
If you are temporarily living away from home in a different state and it is for educational purposes, you are not necessarily considered a resident of that state that your school is located in. If you intend to move back to MS after graduating (or the like), then you are still considered a resident of MS for tax purposes.
I am 71 years old and receive income from Social Security and a pension from the State of Mississippi through PERS of Mississippi. Do I have to file a tax return with the State of Mississippi?
Hi Jack,
Most pensions are taxable income. Double check with PERS to see if that income is taxable or not. If it is, then you should file a tax return for Mississippi.
if I don’t owe taxes in Mississippi do I have to file
Hi Larry,
This will depend on several different factors including your income type, income amount, etc. Generally speaking, if you are a Mississippi resident or have Mississippi income and the income exceeds the allowable deductions and exemptions, you are required to file a return.
Mississippi is listed as my ‘home state’ but I have not worked nor lived there for a few years because I am now a civilian employee living and working overseas. What answer do I give when asked what my Mississippi state income and Mississippi withholding is?
Hi Jackie,
If you do not have Mississippi come, than you will not have to report anything for income from Mississippi sources. You will however, have to report your income from overseas.
I am retired and all my income is from a pension and annuities. Mississippi doesn’t tax these forms of income, but am I till required to file a state return anyway?
Hi Frank,
According to the Mississippi Department of Revenue’s website, you are required to file a Mississippi income tax return if any of the following apply to you;
1. You have Mississippi Income Tax withheld from your wages.
2. You are a Non-Resident or Part-Year Resident with income taxed by Mississippi.
3. You are a Mississippi resident employed in a foreign country on a temporary or transitory basis.
4. You are a Mississippi resident working out of state. Report total gross income, regardless of the source.
5. You are a single resident and have gross income in excess of $8,300 plus $1500 for each dependent.
6. You are a married resident and you and your spouse have gross income over $16,000 plus $1500 for each dependent.
7. You are a minor having gross income in excess of $8,300.
8. You are the survivor or representative of a deceased taxpayer.
I moved to Mississippi on 10-20-2016. When I file my part time resident form, would I just reflect the income my wife and I Iearned while we lived in Mississippi? We are retired, living on S/S and government pension.
Only the income you earned in Mississippi during your dates of residency should be allocated to Mississippi. Rapidtax can handle the allocations of your income for your part-year return. Simply click here to get started today.