State Department of Revenue or Taxation letter explained in English
State tax agency. Your state’s tax office. Most states have their own income tax, with their own forms and deadlines.
Letters you may get
- Notice of balance due — you owe state tax
- Notice of proposed assessment — they want more tax; you can usually protest by the date in the notice
- Refund offset notice — your state refund was used to pay a debt
What to do
- State rules and deadlines are different from the IRS. Follow the dates in the state’s letter.
- Moved to another state? You may still get letters from your old state for the years you lived there.
- Find the deadline. Look for “respond by”, “pay by”, “no later than”, “within”, “deadline”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“appeal”, “request for reconsideration”, “dispute”, “protest”, “hearing request”). See the template.
Words you may see
- notice
- An official letter. The date printed on it often starts the deadline.
- balance due
- The amount you still owe.
- refund offset
- Your refund was used to pay a debt you owe, for example back taxes, child support or a student loan.
Questions
What is the State Department of Revenue or Taxation?
State tax agency. Your state’s tax office. Most states have their own income tax, with their own forms and deadlines.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the State Department of Revenue or Taxation?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “respond by”, “pay by”, “no later than”, “within”, “deadline” — they mark the deadline. In the US, many deadlines count from the date printed on the notice, not from the day it arrives. Some offices add a few days for mail (Social Security assumes 5 days), and court deadlines usually start on the day you were served. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“appeal”, “request for reconsideration”, “dispute”, “protest”, “hearing request”).
Can I read a State Department of Revenue or Taxation letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in English. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in the United States
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Social Security Administration (SSA) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) · County or State Court · Debt collection agency · Landlord / property management · Utility company · Health insurer / Medicaid / Marketplace