Filing a Vermont state tax return for the 2012 tax year may feel confusing initially, but the process becomes easier once you understand the requirements. You may need to file if you lived in Vermont, earned income, or had taxes withheld by an employer. This guide will walk you through how to file a Vermont tax return for 2012, with clear instructions designed for anyone who wants to prepare their return correctly.
Your 2012 Vermont income tax return is closely tied to your federal return. Most of the information used by the Vermont Department of Taxes comes directly from what you filed with the IRS, which means you should have your federal forms ready before starting. Filing ensures you report your income properly, pay any balance owed, or receive a refund if too much money was withheld during the year.
Throughout this article, you’ll learn which forms you need, how to e-file or mail your return, and what steps to follow to complete the process from start to finish. We will also explain how to track your refund, what to do if you owe, and how to contact the state for help if you run into a problem. By the end, you’ll be ready to file confidently and avoid common mistakes that can delay your return.
Who Needs to File a Vermont State Tax Return for 2012?
Not every Vermont resident or worker is required to file, but the state sets clear rules to determine who must complete an income tax return. These rules depend on your residency status, income, and whether you must file a federal return with the IRS.
Full-Year Residents
You must file a 2012 Vermont state tax return if:
- You were a Vermont resident for the entire year, and
- You were required to file a federal income tax return, and
- You earned at least $100 in income in Vermont during the year.
Part-Year Residents
If you lived in Vermont for only part of 2012, you must file if:
- You were required to file a federal return, and
- You earned at least $100 in Vermont income during the portion of the year you lived in the state.
Nonresidents
If you lived outside Vermont but worked in the state, you must file if:
- You earned $1,000 or more in Vermont gross income during 2012, and
- You were required to file a federal return with the IRS.
Summary Table
Residency-Based Filing Requirements
Full-Year Resident
- Filing Requirement:
Must file if required to file a federal return - Income Threshold:
$100 or more
Part-Year Resident
- Filing Requirement:
Must file if required to file a federal return - Income Threshold:
$100 or more
Nonresident
- Filing Requirement:
Must file if required to file a federal return - Income Threshold:
$1,000 or more
Why Filing Matters
Even if your income was low, filing can ensure you qualify for a refund of any taxes your employer withheld. Filing also prevents problems if you later receive a notice from the Vermont Department of Taxes showing that you owed more.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Completing Form IN-111
Filing a Vermont income tax return requires careful preparation. Following each step, you can complete Form IN-111 accurately, reduce errors, and avoid unnecessary delays.
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
Before filling out Form IN-111, you should collect all necessary documents. These include W-2 forms from every employer you worked for during the year, 1099 forms for interest, dividends, or other miscellaneous income, and your completed federal income tax return. You should also have your bank account information ready if you plan to receive your refund through direct deposit. Finally, keeping a copy of your prior year’s Vermont return can make comparing figures easier and help avoid mistakes.
Step 2: Fill Out the Form Section by Section
- In the Taxpayer Information and Filing Status section, enter your name, address, and Social Security number exactly as they appear on your federal return. Choose your filing status, which must match the status you selected on your federal return.
- In the Income and Exemptions section, transfer your federal adjusted gross income and exemptions directly from your federal return. This ensures consistency between state and federal filings.
- Add or subtract items as required under Vermont law in the Vermont Adjustments section. For example, you may need to add back certain deductions allowed at the federal level or subtract income that Vermont exempts.
- If your taxable income is under $75,000, use the Vermont tax tables in the Tax Calculation section. You must use the applicable tax schedule to determine your filing status if it is higher.
- The Use Tax section reports purchases made from out-of-state vendors where sales tax was not collected. Vermont requires residents to pay use tax on these purchases.
- In the Credits and Contributions section, claim any Vermont tax credits you qualify for and decide whether to contribute to voluntary state programs.
- In the Payments and Withholding section, report the Vermont income tax withheld by your employer and any estimated tax payments you made during the year.
- In the Refund or Amount Owed section, calculate whether you are entitled to a refund or if you owe additional money to the state.
Step 3: Review and Attach Schedules
After completing all sections, review your return carefully. Double-check your math, verify that your Social Security numbers are correct, and that all required schedules are attached. Submitting a return without the necessary schedules is one of the most common reasons for processing delays.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Many taxpayers run into problems when their Vermont filing status does not match the status on their federal return. Always ensure both are consistent.
- Some filers forget to sign their return, which makes the return considered incomplete. If filing jointly, both spouses must sign.
- Using the wrong tax table or failing to include all sources of income can lead to underpayment and a potential notice from the state.
- Forgetting to attach supporting forms or schedules can cause the Vermont Department of Taxes to delay or reject your return.
Completing and reviewing the form before submission helps you confidently file, avoid errors, and ensure that your refund or payment is processed correctly.
Special Rules for Nonresidents and Part-Year Residents
Not everyone filing a Vermont income tax return lives in the state full-time. Vermont has special rules for nonresidents and part-year residents to ensure income is fairly allocated.
Nonresidents
- Nonresidents who earned $1,000 or more in gross income in Vermont during 2012 must file a Vermont return, even if they live in another state.
- These taxpayers must complete Form IN-113, which calculates the portion of income subject to Vermont income tax.
- Filing ensures that Vermont collects tax only on money earned within the state while allowing you to claim credits for taxes paid elsewhere.
Part-Year Residents
- Part-year residents are individuals who moved into or out of Vermont during 2012.
- If they earned at least $100 of Vermont income and were required to file a federal return, they must file a return.
- Form IN-113 is also required for part-year residents to calculate the share of total income that is taxable by Vermont.
Why This Matters
Filing correctly as a nonresident or part-year resident prevents problems such as double taxation. It also ensures you qualify for any refund of Vermont taxes withheld by an employer.
How to File Your Return
Vermont offered two primary methods to file a 2012 state income tax return: electronic filing and paper filing. Choosing the right method depends on your situation, but both are valid ways to complete the process.
Electronic Filing
- Electronic filing, or e-filing, allows taxpayers to submit returns through certified software or the Vermont Department of Taxes' online system.
- E-filing provided the easiest filing method because returns were processed more quickly and refunds were issued sooner.
- Filing electronically also reduced errors since the software reviewed the return for common mistakes before submission.
Paper Filing
- Taxpayers who preferred paper could print the official Vermont forms and mail them to the correct address.
- Returns that showed a refund or no balance due were mailed to PO Box 1881, Montpelier, VT 05601-1881.
- Returns with a payment owed were mailed to PO Box 1779, Montpelier, VT 05601-1779.
- When filing by mail, you needed to allow extra time for delivery and processing.
Filing Rules
- Returns were considered timely if received within three business days of the April 15, 2013, deadline.
- Electronic filings were considered on time if the system confirmed acceptance by the due date.
- Taxpayers were encouraged to keep a copy of their completed return and schedules for at least three years.
Making Payments for Your 2012 Vermont Taxes
The state provided several payment options if you owed money on your 2012 Vermont income tax return. Making your payment correctly and on time helped you avoid penalties and interest.
Payment Methods
- You could pay by check or order payable to the Vermont Department of Taxes. The memo line of the payment must include your Social Security number and the tax year.
- You could make payments online through the Vermont Department of Taxes website using “myVTax”, whether you filed or mailed a paper return.
- Taxpayers who e-filed could choose electronic funds withdrawal. This allowed the Department of Taxes to withdraw the amount owed directly from a bank account on the due date.
- Payments could also be arranged through your financial institution, especially if you use online bill pay services.
Payment Due Date
- All payments were due by April 15, 2013, regardless of whether you filed for an extension.
- Extensions granted more time to file, but did not extend the time to pay.
Penalties and Interest
- If you failed to pay by the deadline, penalties were added to the balance owed.
- Interest also accrued daily on any unpaid amount beginning April 16, 2013.
- If you cannot pay the full balance, contact the Vermont Department of Taxes to request a payment plan. Setting up a plan reduces the risk of further problems and keeps your account in good standing.
Tracking Your Refund or Balance Due
After filing your 2012 Vermont state tax return, you needed to check whether you were owed a refund or had a balance due. The state provided different ways to track your account so you could stay updated.
Refund Processing Times
- Refunds for electronic returns were typically processed within two to three weeks. Filing electronically was the fastest way to receive your money.
- Refunds for paper returns usually took six to eight weeks. Delays were possible if the required forms or schedules were missing.
How to Track Your Refund
- You can track your refund directly on the Vermont Department of Taxes website by hovering over “Check the status of my return/refund” and entering your Social Security number, filing status, and exact refund amount.
- Taxpayer Services was available by phone at (802) 828-2865 for anyone who preferred to check refund status with a representative.
- In-person tracking was available at the Taxpayer Assistance Window at 133 State Street, Montpelier.
If You Owe Money
- Taxpayers who owe money can check their balance through the Vermont Department of Taxes website or by calling Taxpayer Services.
- Payment arrangements, including installment plans, were available for taxpayers who could not pay in full.
- Contacting the department promptly helped you avoid additional penalties and receiving a notice for nonpayment.
Final Filing Checklist
Reviewing your paperwork carefully before submitting your 2012 Vermont tax return was important. Using a checklist helped confirm that your return was complete and ready to be filed.
Required Items
- Ensure your return is signed and dated. If filing jointly, both spouses must sign.
- Attach all W-2 and 1099 forms when filing a paper return. These forms are used to verify income and taxes withheld by your employer.
- Include all required schedules, such as IN-112 or IN-113, if applicable.
- If filing a paper return, use the correct mailing address. The address will differ depending on whether you owe money or expect a refund.
- Double-check your bank account and routing numbers if you request a direct refund deposit.
Double-Check These Details
- Confirm that all Social Security numbers are entered correctly. Mistakes here often delay refunds.
- Make sure your filing status matches the one reported on your federal return.
- Review all math calculations for accuracy.
- Confirm that your Vermont taxable income has been calculated correctly.
- Verify that you used the correct tax table or rate schedule for your filing status.
Payment Returns Only
- Write your check or money order payable to the Vermont Department of Taxes.
- Include your Social Security number and the tax year on the payment memo line.
- Mail the payment to the correct address to ensure it is processed on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to file a Vermont tax return for 2012?
To file your Vermont tax return for 2012, gather your employer's federal forms and W-2s. Then complete Form IN-111, making sure all schedules are attached and reviewed. You can e-file forms directly to the Vermont Department of Taxes through approved software or mail paper. Filing correctly ensures you report income, qualify for credits, and receive your refund or pay any income tax you owe.
Can I still e-file or mail a late 2012 Vermont income tax return?
You can still file a late 2012 income tax return even though the original year deadline has passed. Vermont may accept it, but penalties and interest will apply to any taxes you owe. You cannot e-file old returns, so you must prepare and mail paper forms directly. To learn about options, contact the Vermont Department of Taxes for updated information.
Do I need to file if I had no income in 2012?
You may not need to file a return if you had no Vermont income. However, suppose your employer withheld Vermont taxes from wages. In that case, filing ensures you qualify for a refund. It is often easiest to complete Form IN-111, even if only to claim the refund. Always follow federal and state rules carefully and review your information before mailing.
How do I amend a 2012 Vermont income tax return?
To amend a Vermont income tax return for 2012, you must prepare a corrected Form IN-111 and write “Amended Return” clearly at the top. Attach all updated forms and schedules that support the changes. Review the entire process carefully to avoid problems and double-check your math. If you owe additional money, pay promptly to reduce penalties. You may contact the Vermont Department of Taxes for help.
How do I get a copy of my filed 2012 return?
You can request a copy of your filed 2012 Vermont return directly from the Vermont Department of Taxes. To prepare your request, include your name, Social Security number, tax year, and signature. You may send the request by mail or contact the office by phone. In some cases, there may be a small fee. Keeping copies of your income tax return in your account is always recommended.
What if I lived in Vermont for only part of the year?
If you were a part-year resident in 2012, you may still be eligible or required to file. You must complete Form IN-113 to allocate your Vermont income. This ensures you pay income tax only on money earned in Vermont while you lived there. Filing correctly prevents double taxation, allows you to qualify for refunds, and keeps your return reviewed and complete. Always follow instructions carefully and attach all schedules.
What if I cannot pay the full amount I owe?
If you cannot pay the full amount you owe on your 2012 Vermont tax return, you should still file on time. Vermont allows eligible taxpayers to set up payment plans through their financial institution or directly with the Department of Taxes. Contact the office to find out how to prepare an installment agreement. Filing promptly helps you avoid further penalties and ensures your account remains in good standing.
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