This article was verified by our editors and Jennifer Samuel, Senior Product Specialist for Credit Karma. has been updated for fiscal year 2019.
mardi gras in louisiana means you can party like there’s no tomorrow.
And then after the carnival is over and the jazz is over, you’ll need to file your louisiana state income tax return if you live or work in the pelican state. Here are some things to know about filing Louisiana state tax returns.
- what are some louisiana state tax basics?
- what are some louisiana exemptions, deductions and credits you should know ?
- how do i file a louisiana state tax return?
- what if i should and can’t pay?
- how do i track a louisiana tax refund?
what are some louisiana state tax basics?
if you lived in louisiana for part of the year, or if you worked in the state and filed a federal tax return, you must file a louisiana state tax return. If you’re in the military, your registered address is Louisiana, and you need to file a federal return, you’ll also need to file a state tax return.
tax agency
The louisiana department of revenue administers the collection of the state’s individual income tax, as well as other taxes, such as louisiana sales tax, consumer use tax, gift tax, and excise taxes. on the transfer of assets.
If you have income tax questions or need technical assistance while filing online, you can call the louisiana department of revenue at 1-855-307-3893. You can also email your questions directly through a contact form on the agency’s website, which kindly advises you not to send sensitive information because email “is not a secure environment.”
submission and payment deadline
For 2019 state taxes, the state has extended the filing and payment deadline. louisiana residents now have until july 15, 2020 to file their state returns and pay any state taxes due for 2019. as with the federal deadline extension, louisiana will not charge interest on unpaid balances between April and July 15, 2020.
You don’t need to do anything to get this extension. it’s automatic for all louisiana taxpayers.
While this year is a little different, the home state of the great ease usually gives its residents a little break when it comes to the filing deadline. louisiana’s tax day for personal income taxes is usually on or before may 15, giving you a month longer than the typical april deadline to file your federal income tax returns with the irs. /p>
marital status
louisiana recognizes all five federal states for filing purposes: single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, and qualifying widow(er). You must use the same filing status on your Louisiana state return that you claim on your federal return.
louisiana income tax rates
Louisiana has three tax rates: 2%, 4%, and 6%. Your tax rate and tax will depend on your filing status and your Louisiana taxable income.
what are some louisiana exemptions, deductions and credits you should know about?
standard deduction/personal exemption
louisiana has a combined personal exemption standard deduction. here are the 2019 amounts by marital status.
- Single and Married Filing Separately: $4,500
- Married Filing Jointly, Qualifying Widow(ers) and Head of Household: $9,000
There is also a $1,000 amount for each exemption after the first exemption taxpayers take. But you won’t see the standard deduction or exemption amounts on the it-540 tax return. The combined personal exemption standard deduction is included in the calculations used by the state to determine the tax amounts shown in the 2019 louisiana tax table.
state tax deductions and credits
You may be able to take state tax deductions and credits if you qualify. Please note that eligibility may be subject to income caps and limits. Tax exemptions available for tax year 2019 include the following:
- deductions for school tuition, homeschool educational expenses, and public school educational expenses
- an exemption of up to $30,000 of military income for louisiana residents in the military who were stationed out of state on active duty for 120 or more consecutive days
- credits for qualified dependents under age 6 who attended a qualified child care center
- exemptions up to a certain amount per beneficiary for contributions to louisiana student trust income and tuition assistance
- a credit of 29% of the value of donated property to donate computers or other technology equipment to an educational institution in louisiana
how do i file a louisiana state tax return?
You can file your Louisiana state tax return and pay any tax you owe electronically or by mail. options include the following:
- Electronic filing and payment through the Louisiana Department of Revenue’s free online filing service. You will need to create an account.
- Using a Approved Software Provider from the Louisiana Approved Provider List to help you calculate and file your Louisiana federal and state income tax returns online.
- Go the paper route. Download tax forms, including Form IT-540, the Louisiana equivalent of the federal IRS Form 1040, through the IRS website. ldr. Nonresidents with louisiana source income should use form it-540b. part-year residents may also have the option of filing a resident or non-resident return, depending on which is more beneficial.
mailing the paper forms:
- if you owe a payment: department of revenue, p.o. box 3550, baton rouge, la 70821-3550
- if you are expecting a refund or facing any other situation: department of revenue, p.o. box 3440, baton rouge, la 70821-3440
If you owe taxes, you can pay with your debit or credit card online by clicking on “individual income tax credit card payments,” which takes you to the department’s payment service partner. or call 1-888-272-9829 to pay taxes over the phone with your credit card.
What if I owe and cannot pay?
If you can’t meet the filing deadline, you can request a six-month extension to file your tax return. You must apply for an extension by May 15, the tax return due date for the 2019 tax year. But you still have to pay any Louisiana state income taxes you owe on time to avoid being charged interest. and a late payment penalty.
If you cannot pay your taxes in full, you can request a payment plan in installments of up to six months using form r-19026.
how do i track a louisiana tax refund?
louisiana has a where’s my refund? tool to help you track your state refund. you can also use ldr’s toll-free automated phone system at 1-888-829-3071 or call 1-225-922-3270 for the baton rouge area office. Expected processing time is up to 45 days for electronically filed returns and 12-14 weeks for paper returns.
end result
Louisiana’s state tax filing deadline is May 15, so it gives you some breathing room to complete your state tax return, about a month after the typical federal tax return filing deadline. of April 15. If you’re due a state income tax refund, consider filing both returns before the federal due date so you can get your state refund sooner.
Jennifer Samuel, Senior Tax Products Specialist for Credit Karma, has over a decade of experience in the tax preparation industry, including working as a tax analyst and tax preparation professional. . she has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from saint leo university. you can find it on linkedin.