@Tomek assuming that you are using the PC version ( downloaded or CD) and with all the updates in place ( i say this because you said you do not the schedule-E shown in CA non-resident return ), I do not understand why not. If you can see the forms , the easiest way is to add the schedule in the forms mode while is CA state preparation mode, choose forms mode, then select California 540-NR forms tree in the left pane, then add a form, select schedule-E from the list of forms/worksheets. This should result in the schedule filled with the data from the federal schedule-E. Now you can go back to step by step in State return and go to entering the rental income etc.
Have not seen this issue before and can simulate this if you provide me some more details of the steps you took for the state return after you had prepared the Federal return -- any details would help because I do not understand how the schedule would not get pre-loaded if there was a schedule-E in the associated federal return.
