How to File Kansas State Tax Return for Tax Year 2013

Filing a Kansas tax return for the 2013 tax year was necessary for residents and certain nonresidents who earned income connected to the state. While the original filing deadline was April 15, 2014, this information remains valuable for individuals preparing an amended return, reviewing old records, or resolving issues related to refunds or taxes they may still owe. Understanding the requirements, forms, and steps ensures the return is complete and accurate.

This guide walks you through the filing process for the 2013 Kansas return, including who needs to file, where to find the correct forms, and how to prepare the paperwork. It explains the income thresholds, payment options, and refund methods while noting common mistakes that can cause delays. Reviewing each step carefully can save money and prevent problems later, especially if changes in your account or information from an employer need to be updated.

Even though the tax year has passed, knowing how to file correctly helps you stay in compliance with the Kansas Department of Revenue and the IRS. If you missed the deadline or received a notice about an unresolved issue, you can still contact the department directly to find ways to pay, claim a refund, or request help with questions. This reference provides the necessary details to complete the process and keep your tax records in order.

Who Must File a Kansas Tax Return for 2013

Filing a Kansas tax return for 2013 depended on your residency status, income level, and federal filing requirements. In general, anyone required to file a federal income tax return also had to file a Kansas return. Even if no taxes were owed, filing was necessary to claim a refund for money withheld by an employer or a financial institution.

General Filing Requirements

You must file a Kansas return for 2013 if:

You were a Kansas resident during 2013 and were required to file a federal tax return.
Your Kansas adjusted gross income exceeded the state’s standard deduction and exemption allowance.
You received income from a Kansas source as a nonresident.
You were a part-year resident who lived in Kansas for any portion of 2013.
You wanted to receive a refund of taxes withheld, regardless of income amount.

Special Categories of Filers

Certain groups had additional requirements:

Military personnel: Kansas residents must report all income, including military pay, even if stationed outside the state.
Minor dependents: If unearned income, such as interest from a financial institution, was more than $500, a return was required.
Part-year residents: Those who moved into or out of Kansas during 2013 had to file and report income earned while a resident.

Kansas Income Filing Requirements for 2013

The Kansas Department of Revenue required taxpayers to file a return if their income met or exceeded the thresholds listed below:

Single Filers

Under age 65: $5,250
Age 65 or older OR blind: $6,100
Age 65 or older AND blind: $6,950

Married Filing Jointly

Both spouses under 65: $12,000
One spouse is 65+ or blind: $12,700
Both spouses are 65+ or blind: $13,400
One spouse is 65+ and blind: $13,400
Both spouses are 65+ and blind: $14,800

Head of Household

Under age 65: $10,000
Age 65 or older OR blind: $10,850
Age 65 or older AND blind: $11,700

Married Filing Separately

Under age 65: $6,000
Age 65 or older OR blind: $6,700
Age 65 or older AND blind: $7,400

If you were unsure whether to file, reviewing your account records and federal return was an important step. Failing to file when required could result in a notice from the Kansas Department of Revenue or the IRS. You can contact the department directly for help if you have questions.

Kansas Tax Forms You’ll Need

To complete a Kansas tax return for the 2013 year, you had to use the correct forms provided by the Kansas Department of Revenue. Filing with the right paperwork helped ensure the return was complete and reduced the chance of delays or a notice.

Core Forms for 2013

Form K-40 was the main Kansas individual income tax return that all residents, part-year residents, and nonresidents with Kansas income were required to file.
Form K-40V was the payment voucher that accompanied a check or money order. It ensured that the payment was correctly applied to your tax account.
Schedule S was the supplemental schedule used when taxpayers had additions, subtractions, or other changes to income that needed to be reported on the Kansas return.

Where to Get Forms

Taxpayers could download official forms directly from the Kansas Department of Revenue website or request paper copies by mail.
Only original forms or approved computer-generated versions were accepted, which meant photocopies or unclear copies could cause processing delays.
Updated and legible forms were necessary to complete the filing process without problems.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Completing the Kansas Return

Preparing and filing a Kansas tax return for 2013 required accuracy and attention to detail. Taking it step by step helped ensure the return was complete and reduced the risk of errors.

Step 1 – Personal Information

You should begin by printing your name, address, and Social Security number at the top of the form.
You must include your spouse's information if you were married and filing jointly.
Any changes, such as a new address, a name change, or a taxpayer's death, had to be marked on the return.
Your filing status had to match your federal return, whether you were single, married filing jointly, or another status.
Finally, the number of exemptions from your federal return had to be entered on your Kansas return.

Step 2 – Income Reporting

You started by entering your federal adjusted gross income, which served as the foundation for the Kansas return.
Kansas required certain additions to income, such as interest from out-of-state municipal bonds, which had to be included.
Subtractions, such as retirement income exclusions or Kansas-based adjustments, reduced taxable income and had to be applied.
After accounting for these changes, you calculated Kansas's taxable income, determining how much you would owe.

Step 3 – Tax Calculation and Credits

You calculated your Kansas income tax based on taxable income using the Kansas tax tables or tax rate schedules.
Credits such as the child and dependent care credit could then be applied to reduce your overall tax liability.
Once all credits were applied, you arrived at your final Kansas tax liability for the year.

Required Documents

You needed a copy of your federal tax return (Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) to complete the Kansas return accurately.
W-2 forms were required from each employer to report wages and withholding amounts.
One thousand ninety-nine forms showing interest, dividends, or income from a financial institution had to be included.
Records of estimated tax payments made during the year were necessary to apply credit for those payments.
A copy of your previous Kansas tax return was helpful for reference, particularly for carryovers or prior account details.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many taxpayers forgot to sign their return; both spouses needed to sign when filing jointly.
Using the wrong Social Security numbers caused problems and often delayed refunds or processing.
Basic math errors, including mistakes in addition or subtraction, were frequent and could influence the outcome of your tax return, determining whether you owed money or were entitled to a refund.
Failing to attach a copy of your federal return, especially for those filing from out-of-state addresses, often resulted in a notice.
Some filers used the wrong filing status or outdated forms, creating issues during processing.

Filing Methods and Deadlines

Kansas allowed taxpayers to file their 2013 returns either electronically or on paper. Each method had specific requirements, but both were valid ways to complete the process.

Electronic Filing Options

The Kansas WebFile system allowed individuals with simple returns to file online quickly and at no cost.
Taxpayers could use approved tax preparation software, which allowed direct electronic submission to Kansas and often included error checks.
Professional tax preparers also offered electronic filing, which was helpful for taxpayers who needed guidance with the process.
Electronic filing helped reduce processing time and ensured faster refunds, particularly when the refund was deposited directly into a bank account at a financial institution.

Paper Filing

Taxpayers who choose paper filing must complete Form K-40 and include all required schedules.
Form K-40V had to be attached if a payment was included so the Kansas Department of Revenue could apply the money to the correct account.
The return had to be mailed to the official Kansas Department of Revenue address, and taxpayers were encouraged to mail early to allow delivery time.

Filing Deadlines for 2013

The original deadline for filing a 2013 Kansas tax return was April 15, 2014.
Taxpayers who received an extension had until October 15, 2014, to file their return.
An extension was applied only to file the paperwork; it did not extend the payment time. To avoid penalties or interest, any taxes owed still had to be paid by April 15, 2014.

How to Pay Kansas Taxes for 2013

If you owed money on your 2013 Kansas tax return, the Kansas Department of Revenue offered several ways to pay. Making payments on time was important to avoid penalties and interest.

Payment Methods

You could make an electronic payment directly from your bank account through the Kansas Department of Revenue’s secure online system.
Kansas also accepted credit card payments online, though these included a processing fee charged by the financial institution handling the transaction.
If you preferred to pay by check or money order, you had to make it payable to the “Kansas Department of Revenue” and include Form K-40V so the payment was credited to the correct account.
All payments had to be submitted by the due date, even if you had requested more time to file your return.

Payment Plans

Taxpayers who could not pay their full balance by April 15, 2014, could request a payment plan from the Kansas Department of Revenue.
Payment plans allowed taxpayers to spread the balance over time, but interest and penalties continued to accrue until the full amount was paid.
It was important to act quickly if you knew you could not pay in full, since ignoring the balance could result in a notice or collection actions such as wage garnishment or bank account levies.
If you have questions or need help setting up a payment arrangement, you can contact the department directly by phone, mail, or email.

Kansas Tax Refunds for 2013

The Kansas Department of Revenue issued refunds to taxpayers who overpaid. The method and timing of the refund depended on how the return was filed and how the refund was requested.

How to Check Refund Status

Taxpayers can check their refund status online using the “Refund Status Tool” on the Kansas Department of Revenue website.
An automated hotline was also available to check refund progress if you preferred to use the phone.
To access your refund information, you needed your Social Security number and the expected refund amount from your return.

Processing Times

Electronic returns were generally processed faster, with refunds issued within two to three weeks.
Paper returns took longer, with processing times often ranging from six to eight weeks.
Direct deposit refunds were issued more quickly than paper checks since the money was sent directly to your bank account at a financial institution.

Refund Exceptions

Refunds of less than five dollars were not issued as checks but were applied to your next year’s Kansas tax liability.
If your return had a problem, such as missing forms or errors, processing could be delayed until the issue was reviewed.
Sometimes, the department might send a notice requesting additional information before releasing the refund.

Final Filing Checklist

Before mailing or submitting your 2013 Kansas tax return, reviewing the filing one last time is important. Taking a few minutes to confirm the details could save you time and money, as well as the frustration of a delayed refund or a notice from the Kansas Department of Revenue.

Make sure the return was signed and dated. For joint returns, both spouses had to provide signatures.
Confirm that all Social Security numbers were entered correctly and matched the information on your federal return.
Double-check all math calculations to avoid errors that could change whether you owed taxes or were due a refund.
Attach copies of all W-2s, 1099s, and any other forms from an employer or financial institution showing income and withholding.
If required, attach a copy of your federal tax return to support your Kansas filing.
Verify that you used the correct mailing address or filed electronically through an approved process.
Include Form K-40V if paying by check or money order to ensure the payment was applied to the right account.
Review your bank routing and account numbers if requesting a direct deposit refund.
Keep copies of everything you submitted for your records in case of future questions or changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the deadline for the 2013 Kansas tax return?

The deadline for the 2013 Kansas tax return was April 15, 2014. Extensions gave taxpayers more filing time, but all taxes had to be paid by the original date to avoid penalties. Late payments could result in a notice, interest, or collection actions. If you have questions about this process, contact the Kansas Department of Revenue directly by phone or email for updated information.

Can I still prepare or amend a 2013 Kansas tax return?

You can still prepare or amend a 2013 Kansas tax return by filing Form K-40X. This form is used when changes are needed, such as reporting income from an employer or financial institution or fixing an error. Once submitted, your account will be reviewed and updated. If you owe taxes, it is best to pay promptly and contact the department for help to avoid further problems with your return.

Do I need to file if my employer withheld taxes, but I had no income?

If your employer or a financial institution withheld Kansas taxes in 2013, you should file a tax return even if your income was minimal. Filing allows you to claim a refund of the money withheld and ensures the return is complete. This step also keeps your account reviewed and accurate. If you are uncertain, you can contact the Kansas Department of Revenue directly with questions or request help.

What is Form K-40X, and when should it be used?

Form K-40X is the amended Kansas tax return used when a problem or mistake requires correction. It allows you to update information, report changes, or claim a refund you originally missed. Filling out this form ensures your account is reviewed and updated. Completing this step may resolve the issue if you received a notice from the IRS or the Kansas Department of Revenue.

How can I find a copy of my 2013 Kansas tax return?

You can request a copy of your 2013 Kansas tax return directly from the Kansas Department of Revenue. You may need to prepare specific forms, verify your account, and pay a small fee. The request will be reviewed and fulfilled by mail or email. A copy is helpful if you need to answer IRS questions, amend your return, or confirm details last reviewed for that year.

How should I file if I moved during 2013?

If you moved during the year, you must file a Kansas tax return as a part-year resident. This requires filing Schedule S with Form K-40 to show income earned while living in Kansas. Taking this step ensures your return is complete and reflects residency changes accurately. If you need help, you can contact the Kansas Department of Revenue directly for updated guidance and reviewed instructions on the filing process.

What happens if I do not pay the taxes I owe from 2013?

Penalties and interest will continue to grow if you do not pay the taxes you owe from your 2013 Kansas tax return. The Kansas Department of Revenue may issue a notice or take steps such as garnishing wages or freezing money in a financial institution account. To avoid bigger problems, prepare a plan, contact the department directly, and find ways to resolve the balance with updated payment arrangements.