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New Member
posted Jun 5, 2019 10:48:31 PM

I made a big mistake!! I noticed that credit karma filed taxes now and Well little and too late did i realize i couldn't file multiple states! can i finish my state taxes?

I have already filed my federal and Idaho. but I still need to file 2 more states! can i finish filing state taxes with my Turbo Tax account? Also, i didn't get credit for taxes paid to another state! Help!

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1 Best answer
Level 7
Jun 5, 2019 10:48:33 PM

You can use TurboTax to file state returns, but you are going to run into a few issues:

  1. You will need to still prepare your federal and Idaho returns.  TurboTax prepares state returns by pulling the information from the federal return, so you will need to complete your federal return again and make sure it is exactly the same as you originally filed.  You cannot just directly prepare state returns.  This also means if you aren't qualified for the Free Edition, then you will have to pay for the Federal and Idaho even though you already completed them.
  2. The bigger problem is it sounds like you also need to amend your Idaho return (I am assuming that is your resident state) to get credit for taxes paid to other states.  This means you are going to have to prepare your Federal and Idaho returns just like you did with CK.  Then, you are going to have to trick the program into thinking you filed them through TurboTax by telling the program you are going to paper file the returns.  You will then be able to go back after you "file" the returns and amend them.  You will amend your returns by adding two new states.  The end result is you will have two new state returns to file, one Idaho amended return now showing the credits for taxes paid (you will have to go back through Idaho to make sure you get the credit), and possibly an amended Federal return depending if there are any changes to your federal deductions as a result of the state taxes paid.
  3. You will need to paper file your Idaho amended return and your two new state returns.  Since you are going to have to tell the program that you paper filed your federal return in order to prepare the state returns, this means you will have to also paper file your state returns
  4. You are likely going to want to work in the desktop program, not the online.  Given the nature of everything you are going to need to do, it is likely you may make a mistake at some point and need to start over.  The desktop program is far more forgiving when you make mistakes then the online program.  https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/

So, as you can see, this won't be easy, but it is possible.  The other option is to use the federal return you have completed already to manually figure out your two new state returns as well as your amended Idaho return.  

10 Replies
Level 7
Jun 5, 2019 10:48:33 PM

You can use TurboTax to file state returns, but you are going to run into a few issues:

  1. You will need to still prepare your federal and Idaho returns.  TurboTax prepares state returns by pulling the information from the federal return, so you will need to complete your federal return again and make sure it is exactly the same as you originally filed.  You cannot just directly prepare state returns.  This also means if you aren't qualified for the Free Edition, then you will have to pay for the Federal and Idaho even though you already completed them.
  2. The bigger problem is it sounds like you also need to amend your Idaho return (I am assuming that is your resident state) to get credit for taxes paid to other states.  This means you are going to have to prepare your Federal and Idaho returns just like you did with CK.  Then, you are going to have to trick the program into thinking you filed them through TurboTax by telling the program you are going to paper file the returns.  You will then be able to go back after you "file" the returns and amend them.  You will amend your returns by adding two new states.  The end result is you will have two new state returns to file, one Idaho amended return now showing the credits for taxes paid (you will have to go back through Idaho to make sure you get the credit), and possibly an amended Federal return depending if there are any changes to your federal deductions as a result of the state taxes paid.
  3. You will need to paper file your Idaho amended return and your two new state returns.  Since you are going to have to tell the program that you paper filed your federal return in order to prepare the state returns, this means you will have to also paper file your state returns
  4. You are likely going to want to work in the desktop program, not the online.  Given the nature of everything you are going to need to do, it is likely you may make a mistake at some point and need to start over.  The desktop program is far more forgiving when you make mistakes then the online program.  https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/

So, as you can see, this won't be easy, but it is possible.  The other option is to use the federal return you have completed already to manually figure out your two new state returns as well as your amended Idaho return.  

Returning Member
Apr 26, 2020 12:14:10 PM

@AnthonyC I am having a similar issue as the OP, where I already e-filed federal returns using CreditKarma which were accepted, and have 2 states left to file. With everything closed due to Covid states are asking to e-file. To make sure I understand your response -

1) "You can use TurboTax to file state returns, but you are going to run into a few issues"

do you mean prepare state returns, or e-file?

2) "you are going to have to trick the program into thinking you filed them through TurboTax by telling the program you are going to paper file the returns...Since you are going to have to tell the program that you paper filed your federal return in order to prepare the state returns, this means you will have to also paper file your state returns"

other threads have said that a second federal e-file will be automatically rejected after the first is accepted. can I then use TurboTax to efile both federal and states, assume the federal will be rejected, and have the state ones accepted?

3) "The other option is to use the federal return you have completed already to manually figure out your two new state returns as well as your amended Idaho return"

Manually prepare the return, but the state return will still have to be physically paper filed?

 

TIA for your help.

Level 15
Apr 26, 2020 12:20:05 PM

To boil it down for you---you cannot e-file your state returns using TurboTax since you cannot possibly e-file a federal return from TT.  You would really be better off if you just go to the state's own tax sites and see if you can file from the state sites.   You will need a copy of your already filed federal return to refer to for information.

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901670-how-do-i-contact-my-state-department-of-revenue

Returning Member
Apr 26, 2020 12:43:31 PM

Thanks for the quick reply. I looked for those options but my two states (NY and MA) don't seem to have their own fillable forms I can use. MA lists other software like TurboTax which you're saying I cannot use since I cannot e-file federal returns with them again, and the fillable form requires being a full-year resident. NY appears to be the same.

 

I'm not even looking for free services at this point, happy to pay just to be able to file these two states' returns.

Level 15
Apr 26, 2020 1:00:40 PM
Level 15
Apr 26, 2020 1:03:18 PM

Another option--a pain in the neck one-- would be to re-create your federal return so that the information would flow to the state forms.  Then tell the software you will file by mail and print all of the returns.  Believe it or not, you actually can mail those state returns.  They want them to be e-filed but there are circumstances where people are unable to e-file, and the states will accept mailed returns.

Returning Member
Apr 26, 2020 1:25:20 PM

Thanks. I may mail in as a last resort but with offices closed due to Covid I am trying to find out if efiling state is possible otherwise my payment/refund may not get processed until well into the fall.

I did see and include those links, however: for NY, I am over the $69K income limit, the site suggests https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/efile/o[product key removed]ns.htm which IIUC will have the same problem you highlighted with TurboTax - I cannot efile using them since I did not efile federal using them?

 

For MA, that link shows the documents but again I am hoping to find a way to efile rather than just complete the return, print, and paper file.

 

Level 15
Apr 26, 2020 2:18:55 PM

Good luck with it and stay safe!

New Member
May 6, 2021 2:50:31 PM

Running into the same issue this year @reb6 @xmasbaby0 . Were you able to find a way to e-file state taxes or did you mail in the prepared forms?

Expert Alumni
May 7, 2021 1:33:15 PM

@ay12345 Most states can be e-filed after the federal is accepted. Use the same software and prepare the additional states. Many states allow you to file through their portal, you can check the state website, contact the Department of Revenue.