- 1). Complete your federal taxes. In most states, you will need to reference your completed federal income tax forms in order to fill out your state income tax forms.
- 2). Find the appropriate forms for your state income tax. You will need to do your state income taxes on forms that are different from your federal income taxes. Each state has its own unique state income tax forms. You can get the forms by going to a local courthouse or by visiting the department of taxation for your state. Most states even have their state income tax forms on the department of taxation's website. Be sure to pick up an instruction booklet as well.
- 3). Gather your W-2s. You will need to have your W-2s in order to complete your state income tax forms. Employer's have state-specific tax IDs that you will need for your state income taxes.
- 4). Look for city and school tax responsibilities. In some states, such as Ohio, you may be required to pay extra state income taxes to your city or school district. When you get your state income tax forms from your state department of taxation, be sure to get an instruction booklet that should let you know if this applies to you. You can also ask someone at the department of taxation if you are not sure or just look on your W-2s to see if any local cities are listed with a withholding amount for the year.
- 5). Complete your forms. Once you have all of your W-2s, your complete federal income taxes and appropriate state income tax forms, you can get to work completing your state income tax forms. A lot of states offer free e-filing on their department of taxation website. Or, you can mail in your completed form to the address on the form. Follow the directions in the instruction booklet from the department of taxation to help you to complete the forms.
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