Some cities bundle their income taxes with state tax returns, some require entirely separate forms, and some don’t charge an income tax at all.

Everyone knows they have to file federal and – in most cases – state taxes when April rolls around. But what about city income taxes? Do you have to file those too?

For the most part, local taxes are on the same schedule as federal and state taxes, which means they all share the same mid-April deadline. Thus, the best time to take care of them is right after you complete your federal and state returns when you’re already in a state of flow and all the numbers are fresh in your head.

First, figure out which cities you need to file taxes in. The vast majority of people do not owe local income taxes, but you should check the city you live in and then all the cities in which you earn money. In some cases, city income taxes will be withheld from your pay during the year.

Here are some major cities that levy an income tax:

New York City taxes every income-earning individual who resides in the city. The tax is collected by the New York State Department of Taxation.
In contrast, Los Angeles and Chicago have no income tax (though the Windy City’s budget woes may soon put one on the table).
Baltimore and all 23 Maryland counties levy a local income tax that is collected on the state tax return.
Most cities in Ohio charge an income tax and large cities like Columbus and Cleveland actually administer local income taxes for much of the surrounding area. A separate form, not your state tax return, is required to collect this tax.
Kansas City, MO charges a 1% earnings tax paid by all residents and nonresidents who work in the city. You can file online directly with the city.

As you can see, city tax situations vary widely. Some cities administer their taxes through the state tax return, some require separate forms you have to find and fill out, and still, others allow you to pay your city taxes easily online.

Unfortunately, many online tax filing services, including PriorTax, do not allow you to file city taxes individually. With PriorTax, for example, you can only file city taxes that are collected through the state tax return. New York City and Baltimore residents, for example, would be able to file their city taxes.

If you still need to file your 2010 taxes we’ll be happy to help you. But when it comes to city taxes that require a separate form, you’re on your own.

Photo via ZeroOne on Flickr.

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Tax Tips and Tricks

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 29th, 2012 at 5:39 pm and is filed under Tax Tips and Tricks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

14 Responses to “How to File City Taxes”

Comments(14)

Debbie

Feb 20, 2016

so confused I filed my federal and state taxes.. but can not find any information on my Local/city taxes… Do I have to file if I live in NYC/Manhaten

Reply
- admin
  
  Feb 22, 2016
  
  Hi Debbie,
  
  You’ll see on your W-2 that NYC/Manhattan taxes were withheld from your income. However, you only need to file a state tax return for NY and these amounts will be accounted for. There is not a separate tax return that you would file specifically for NYC/Manhattan.
  
  Reply
Accident lawyer

Apr 3, 2017

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feel more intelligent afterwards. I shared this post on Facebook and my friends thought it was great too.
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doing here. Sincerely, Your #1 fan! lol 🙂

Reply
rob

Apr 18, 2017

my wife and I live in Cleveland oh and were trying to figure out how to file city taxes been at this for 2-3 days now and I cant find out where to go get it filed… if someone could please help it would be greatly appreciated

Reply
- admin
  
  May 17, 2017
  
  You will be able to find more information about Cleveland City Taxes and Forms here: Cleveland CCA (Central Collection Agency)
  
  Reply
Julia

Jul 29, 2017

I have a couple hundred dollar refund from the city. I did not send in the form, is it too late?

Reply
- admin
  
  Jul 31, 2017
  
  You generally have up to 3 years to claim your refund from the original date that your tax return forms are due,
  
  Reply
Julia

Jul 29, 2017

I have a refund from my city taxes, is it too late to send in?

Reply
- admin
  
  Jul 31, 2017
  
  When it comes to claiming a refund for your taxes paid, generally you have 3 years from the original date to file your return to receive a refund.
  
  Reply
Von

Feb 7, 2018

Hi, I live in Saginaw MI but work in Bay City, MI do I have to file city taxes?

Reply
Theresa A Lando

Feb 11, 2018

I live in Harrison but i work in Detroit do i have to file city taxes for Detroit, and if i do how do i

Reply
- admin
  
  Apr 2, 2018
  
  Theresa,
  Many people do not owe local income taxes, but you should check the city you live in and then all the cities in which you earn money. In some cases, city income taxes will be withheld from your pay during the year. With PriorTax, you can only file city taxes that are collected through the state tax return.
  
  Reply
Lois Lawson

Apr 5, 2018

I live in Hamilton, my company is in Blue Ash and I work as a daycare worker and work in 4 different cities. Do I file city taxes and to who?

Reply
Mariana Bernui

Apr 18, 2018

I have lived in Philadelphia for ten years and now live in Conshohocken, PA. I actually arrived here to complete a doctoral program and no one ever told me I had to file a city tax return. I know I have been paying all my taxes and I do have a city income tax withheld, but never filed any paperwork for it. Is that bad? Should I be filing city tax paperwork as well? I cannot find anything that pertains to me when I look for how to file city taxes.

Reply