E-file state without federal

[gjcoram]

I e-filed my federal return a few weeks ago with TurboTax On-Line; now I want to file my state return with the Desktop version. However, the Desktop version says I can't file the state without e-filing the federal ... I went to File > Electronic Filing > Check Electronic Filing Status and it says it was accepted, but it still won't let me e-file the state.

(The on-line version wants $59 to activate the state; I bought the download version to help my daughter, and the download version lets you file 3 (?) state returns.)

[xmasbaby0]

You have kind of a confused mess.   You cannot "mix and match" using online and desktop software.    You cannot e-file a state return unless you have e-filed a federal return.   And you did indeed e-file federal but you used online software.  Now you are trying to use desktop software to prepare a state return.   The only way you might be able to make that work for you is to prepare a federal return AGAIN------make it match the one one you already filed-----then prepare the state.  You will have to file by mail.   You will not mail the federal one since you already e-filed it, but you can mail the state that you prepared using desktop.   Your desktop software will have no way to recognize that you e-filed federal online, so you will not be able to e-file state.

[gjcoram]

"Your desktop software will have no way to recognize that you e-filed federal online" --- well, it does, though, because the Desktop software File menu has that option I mentioned, where it checked my filing status and found it had been accepted.

[xmasbaby0]

Your desktop software does not have any of the information from the federal return you prepared online even if it is showing that you e-filed.      The only way you are going to get information into a state return using that desktop software is to prepare a federal return that matches the one you already filed so that the information flows from the federal to the state return.    There is a way to switch from online to desktop but I am not sure if it will allow you to do that AFTER you already e-filed.   

 I doubt that you will be able to e-file the state return----but see what it will let you do once you get the state prepared.  Worst case---you save the $25 state e-file fee and pay for a stamp to mail the state.

[xmasbaby0]

Here is how to switch to desktop from online----again----I do not know if you can do this after you already e-filed that federal return.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/how-do-i-switch-from-turbotax-online-to-th...

@VolvoGirl    Do you know if it is possible to switch from online to desktop after e-filing federal so user would not have to prepare federal again?

[gjcoram]

At some point, I did already download my .tax file from the online version and started up the Desktop version (I think it was before I finished up and filed using the online version). So I already have all my federal info in the Desktop version, and it used that info to start the state version. I'm all ready to file the state, and yes, I could print it out, but I was hoping to e-file to get the refund sooner.

[xmasbaby0]

So when you said you filed using online---that was not what happened?  You started with online and switched to desktop before you filed?   No wonder it is showing that you e-filed using desktop......so, sure, just prepare and e-file your state return.   All that stuff I tried to tell you about online and desktop was not necessary if you switched to desktop before you e-filed.   And....if you e-file using desktop there is a $25 state e-file fee.

[VolvoGirl]

@xmasbaby0   Sure I don’t see why you couldn’t switch to Desktop after Efiling.  

@gjcoram   since it does show federal accepted in the Desktop program have you tried Efiling state?  As far as I remember no one has ever tried or asked that.  

[xmasbaby0]

@VolvoGirl @gjcoram 

"I e-filed my federal return a few weeks ago with TurboTax On-Line"

That statement turned out to be incorrect;   the return was actually e-filed using the desktop software that the user switched to before e-filing.....so all the software gymnastics I thought they might need turned out to be unnecessary after all.    @gjcoram Good luck with the state e-file!

[gjcoram]

Yes, I tried e-filing state, and it says "You Cannot E-file This Return. We know it's not what you wanted to hear at this point. ... This return cannot be e-filed before your federal return has been e-filed. You'll need to e-file this return at the same time as your federal return, or after your federal return has been e-filed."

[gjcoram]

No, I e-filed with TurboTax online. I had downloaded the .tax file when I was about 99% done with federal, started playing around with the Desktop version, but then went back and e-filed using the on-line version.

(Yes, I know I made my life complicated. I have been using TT Online for a few years, but this year, I'm helping my daughter and my mom, and the Desktop version lets you file 5 federal returns whereas the online version wants each person to pay separately.)

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

Ok.  Then download the newest Online .tax2024 file and open it in the Desktop program.  See what that does about state.  

[xmasbaby0]

If you use Forms mode in your desktop software do you see your 2024 federal Form 1040?   We cannot tell what you have done.   

[gjcoram]

@VolvoGirl  - Indeed! Now it shows the federal has been filed. Thank you!

[VolvoGirl]

@gjcoram   Keep us posted.  Will it let you efile state?