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.
Hello,
I’ve been living in Tennessee and work in Mississippi. I’ve been paying MS state income tax. I know I need to file a non-resident form, but I’m curious as to how much of the money I’ve paid is normally refunded.
Thanks,
Alex
Hello Alex,
When calculating your refund, there are many factors taken into consideration such as residency, income, state tax, local tax, tax withheld and over payment. You may make an account with us for us to prepare your non-resident return.
Full time student in 2017 earning $6920.00 on 1099-MISC with no with holdings. Do I have to file taxes?
You may fall under the filing income threshold for your state. You can contact your state authority to determine if you are required to file a state return for 2016. If you are a Mississippi resident or have Mississippi income and the income exceeds the allowable deductions and exemptions, you may be required to file a return.
I am a Mississippi resident and the only income I receive is my military retirement pay. Do I still have to file a Mississippi tax return?
Mississippi does not tax any military retirement pay that you received, so you are not required to file a Mississippi tax return if this is all you would be reporting. If you would like additional information on this matter here is a link to the Department of Revenue for Mississippi with this specific question in mind.
I did not pay taxes from 1999,2000,2001 without realizing it as I was overseas working .I did not realize this until sept.3 2010 when I received your tax notice of lien re-enrollment. I was injured September of 2001.i am disabled from then until now and have no way of paying it. can I get a pardon for this please.
Hi Will,
I believe you have commented on our post, thinking we are the IRS. I strongly encourage you to contact them as soon as possible about the notice you have received.
I receive retirement from the state and go to school fulltime, do i have to file a state return as well as the federal for mississippi?
Hi Mia,
As you will see on the Mississippi government website, retirement income is typically not subject to Mississippi income tax. I have provided the link for you HERE.