Federal tax returns for state tax refund

[Nick1233]

Hi Guys,

I had moved to Canada in 2018 and filed my US returns (for partial 2018) in 2019 and was issued both federal and state refunds in 2019.
However, California had mailed me 1099G for 2019 refunds in 2020. It was less than 1000 USD.

Do i need to file a federal return for 2019? I had no other income (interest, dividend) in US.

 

[harirajmohan]

Hi Guys,

I had moved to Canada in 2018 and filed my US returns (for partial 2018) in 2019 and was issued both federal and state refunds in 2019.
However, California had mailed me 1099G for 2019 refunds in 2020. It was less than 1000 USD.

Do i need to file a federal return for 2019? I had no other income (interest, dividend) in US.

Technically you should but i dont think that they really verify. So its up to you but rarely seen IRS comes behind for not filing for tiny income (which is not qualifying for any tax).
As there are websites giving your free filing, you can just simply file it as it would be 0 expense and 0 return anyway.

 

[Nick1233]

Turns out i had used standard deduction for 2018 and in such cases, the state refund of 2019 is not considered taxable income at all.