Ordinarily, you will have to file a state income tax return in each state in which you earn income to get a state tax refund. There are exceptions: some states will let you off the hook if you only have a small amount of income, if you're in the military, and a few states don't have an income tax at all. Figuring out the state filing requirements can be complicated if you earn income in more than one state. Even though you may have earned a minimal amount in one state, you may have an obligation to file a tax return in that state. Some states, such as California, calculate tax liability and requirement to file based on your total income for the year and not only on the amount earned within the state. The easiest way to deal with this situation is usually through the use of tax software. It will take all the information from your federal tax return and transfer it to the correct lines on your state tax refund forms. The software usually helps you figure out what income is taxable and what expenses are deductible for each state, and will also often tell you what the filing requirements are for the states in which you have income. Reference Link: http://www.turbotax.com/articles/FAQ_on_Filing_Income_Tax_Returns_in_Multiple_States.html