How does your state make you file state income tax?

Good old Commonwealth Pennsylvania...ARGHHH!!!!

In PA,, for the past few years, we can no longer file a paper form.  All we have a choice of isTelefile (on the phone) and e-filing (which now is finally a free service, though they have a sneaky "convenience" fee).  This really is a pain!  And God forbid you make a mistake on the phone--you have to start over. I once spent almost 2 hours dealing with this stupid system.  When I fill out the paper form, it literally takes me 10 minutes.  I tried to e-file today, but couldn't remember my username/password from last year.  I couldn't get the website to understand that.  I ended up phoning it; we owed a small amount, so I had to use my credit card.  They actually have the to gall to charge a $1 "convenience" fee! This is the most ridiculous tax-paying system! The Feds let you file a paper form; why can't the state?  Now, I use TurboTax for my Fed form, which is a dream--it's almost fun to do.  They try to get you to file your state taxes with them (for $36).  As I know my state form is going to be very simple to calculate, I'm too cheap to spend $36.  That may change next year!

What method of filing does your state use? I shudder to think that everyone has to go through what we Pennsylvanians have to go through!

I think Texas you can do both ways, but I always e-file.... Good thing about Texas though, no State income Tax.... THAT is a yey!

No state taxes in South Dakota. . .yay! But the property taxes are super high to make up for it .

No state income taxes here in Texas!!  Woot!

I work with people that live in PA and they've been complaining about it too. In fact, one women is seriously thinking about buying the house 2 door down (she live 20 ft over the PA line) just so she won't have to deal with it next year! I don't thinks she's really considering it. MD property taxes are much higher than PA from what I understand. But, I understand your frustration.

In WV, it must be pretty simple. I think we can still file with the forms, but MIL does taxes so DH just hops on her computer and files both federal and state. 

Consider yourselves lucky. Over here in Israel, you have to file both income tax and VAT (Value Added Tax) every month. If you're lucky and don't make enough money (like me!) you get to file it only once every two months. It's a real pain, as you actually have to present all of your receipts for everything. Fortunately for me, my DH handles all of that for me (and for himself), but I know he absolutely detests it.

No state income tax in Florida either.

Anne said:

Consider yourselves lucky. Over here in Israel, you have to file both income tax and VAT (Value Added Tax) every month. If you're lucky and don't make enough money (like me!) you get to file it only once every two months. It's a real pain, as you actually have to present all of your receipts for everything. Fortunately for me, my DH handles all of that for me (and for himself), but I know he absolutely detests it.

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Holly Molly! Every month! whoa :dash: man........ I would go insane!

Yes, we do have property taxes here in Texas.  It's pretty high, but it is the sole source for local school funding.  They DO get some from the state, and that comes mainly from sales taxes.

One of the reasons we moved out of PA in 1977 was the high tax rate.  I figured I got a 10% pay hike just by moving to Texas.  What with state income tax, local income tax, municipality privelege tax, township tax, etc., it just got crazy.

New York State now pushes e filing too. It is not yet required for income taxes, but if you do your taxes on the computer, print them and mail them, the state may charge you a $25 fee. Sales tax does have to be e-filed or fees will be charged, so my hairdresser who owns her own salon, told me.

My taxes are so simple, I never bothered to e file until this year. Then, when I did, my submission was rejected, I was told my submitted information didn't match my SS information. After much digging I discovered that there is a TYPO on my name, on my SS card that has never been noticed before.

I had to go to the local SS office and apply for a new SS card. It's not very private there and as you wait you can hear what the other people are there for. I was not the only one there doing this, and for the same reasons. :lol3:

I was told the changes would be in effect by the next day and I could e file again. Well I waited two days just to be sure, but the returns were rejected again. So I printed them off and mailed them in, attaching the rejection code to the state tax forms, so they wouldn't be able to charge me the $25 fee (they didn't)

Hopefully next year it will be accepted. :lol3: