Can I do my state tax return separately from my federal tax return on TurboTax the free version?

[rjs · Accepted solution]

The state tax return is based on the federal tax return. In order to prepare a state tax return in TurboTax (any version), you first have to prepare your federal tax return in TurboTax, even if you won't file it with TurboTax. If you already filed a federal tax return somewhere else, you have to make sure that the federal tax return you create in TurboTax exactly matches the one that you filed. If you filed your federal tax return with a different company, it would be easier to use the same company for your state tax return, because the federal tax return is already there. Also, you will not be able to e-file your state tax return with TurboTax if you didn't e-file your federal tax return with TurboTax. You would have to print the state tax return and file it by mail.