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February 24, 2025
Question

My wife and I are new Iowa residents. We receive retirement income which is not taxed in Iowa. Do we need to file an Iowa return?

  • February 24, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

Iowa doesn't tax retirement income. Their tax instructions lead me to believe I don't need to file a return if I don't have taxable income, but it seems like they would want to see my return for proof. Can someone help?

    1 reply

    February 24, 2025

    No, if your only income is retirement that is subtracted from Iowa taxable income, you do not have to file the return.  You are correct that you may need to prepare the return to see if you have the income.

     

    See Who Must File?

    SchulzesAuthor
    February 25, 2025

    Thank you.  I am quite sure that I don't owe any taxes but as you suggested I would need to fill in the Iowa form to be sure.

     

    I plan to complete my federal return in TurboTax, and then use it to manually review the Iowa tax forms.  If my suspicions are NOT correct (now or even in future years), does TurboTax allow me return and complete my Iowa taxes using TurboTax?

     

    In your opinion, is this the best way to do this or is there another route?  I am not against paying TurboTax but it seems a bit wasteful to pay this year after year if my tax situation does change significantly. I already paid for last years returns and it appears I didn't need to file.

     

    Thanks,

    Steve

    JohnB5677
    February 25, 2025

    I suggest that you complete both the Federal and the state taxes in TurboTax.

    This will give you an accurate reading on the Iowa return.

     

    • You can choose to only file the Federal and not the state.
      • You can file the Federal by mail.
      • Pay for both your federal and state returns now, and when you get to the Let's get ready to e-file screen, select the File by mail button and click the I'm not ready to file (radio button) below your state and click save.
      • Delete your state return, file your federal return now, and then come back later re-do your state return
    • What state did you move from, and do you owe taxes there?
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