Louisiana Department of Revenue Has Released Filing Information for the 2021 Tax Season

BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Department of Revenue will begin accepting 2021 state individual income tax returns on Jan. 24, 2022. The date coincides with the date the IRS begins accepting 2021 federal income tax returns.

On Jan. 24, taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns electronically through Louisiana File Online, the state’s free web portal for individual tax filers. Louisiana File Online allows taxpayers to:

• File returns and pay taxes electronically
• Check the status of individual income tax refunds
• Amend current and prior-year tax returns
• Request a filing extension

Taxpayers may also submit their returns using commercially available tax preparation software, or with printed state returns available on the LDR website at www.revenue.louisiana.gov/Forms.

For returns submitted electronically, taxpayers due refunds can expect them within 45 days of the filing date. For paper returns, the refund processing time is 14 weeks.

Taxpayers can minimize delays in receiving their refunds by updating their contact information with LDR. If you have moved or changed your name since your last tax filing, update your contact information at www.revenue.louisiana.gov/AddressChange.

The deadline for filing 2021 Louisiana Individual income tax returns is Monday, May 16, 2022.

State income tax changes for 2022 and beyond

Louisiana income tax changes that went into effect on Jan. 1 have no impact on 2021 state income tax returns and payments due May 16, 2022. However, tax time is a good opportunity to review withholding and deductions to avoid a surprise tax bill when filing 2022 returns next year.

Act 395 of the 2021 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature made the following changes to Louisiana’s individual income tax rates:

Filing Status of Single; Married, Filing Separately; Head of Household

Filing Status of Married, Filing Jointly; Qualified Surviving Spouse

Due to the new state income tax rates and changes in the state’s withholding tables, many Louisiana individual taxpayers can expect less tax withheld from their wages per pay period.

Taxpayers are encouraged to review, and revise if needed, the Employee Withholding Exemption Certificate (Form L-4). Taxpayers with income from sources other than wages should consider decreasing the number of exemptions or dependents claimed, or increasing the amount of tax withheld each pay period.

Read Revenue Information Bulletin 21-032 for more information about income tax changes from Act 395, including important changes for two major income tax deductions – the federal income tax liability deduction and the excess federal itemized personal deduction – beginning with the 2022 tax year.