topic How do I print my state return without the "E-FILE ONLY DO NOT MAIL" watermark? I chose File by Mail, and the return prints with mail instructions but includes watermark. in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

How do I print my state return without the "E-FILE ONLY DO NOT MAIL" watermark? I chose File by Mail, and the return prints with mail instructions but includes watermark.

spencerporch — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:42:44 GMT

I have a special circumstance and have to file by mail. I click the File by Mail option, download the documents including the instruction sheet that describes what to include, but the state return that I'm supposed to mail has a huge watermark across it. I can't find out how to remove it.

Re: How do I print my state return without the "E-FILE ONLY DO NOT MAIL" watermark? I chose File by Mail, and the return prints with mail instructions but includes watermark.

Texas Roger — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 14:37:16 GMT

This generally means that the form had not been finalized yet by TurboTax. Did your review of the state return shown any forms that were not yet ready to file?

Re: How do I print my state return without the "E-FILE ONLY DO NOT MAIL" watermark? I chose File by Mail, and the return prints with mail instructions but includes watermark.

spencerporch — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 17:32:26 GMT

Yes and thanks for the reply! It was in Ready to File status, and the last step of it was printing the documents to mail out. So the version that has the big watermark is the actual exact one that prints as part of the mail and file step, after everything is complete.

If even shows as "Filed [state] Tax Return" on the Your tax returns and documents section. I think this is a legitimate glitch, but I'm not able to get ahold of support.

Editing to tag @Texas Roger

Re: How do I print my state return without the "E-FILE ONLY DO NOT MAIL" watermark? I chose File ...

CassLO — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 18:44:06 GMT

If you use Print Center to print, it will give you an option to print a clean version with no watermarks. Please see the directions below:
If your return is still active and you are inside the return, you can click on Tax Tools on the left, and then Print Center.
If your return thinks you have already printed and filed, these are directions to Print Center.
1.Log into the account you filed the return in
2. Click Tax Home to the left
3. Scroll down to Your tax returns & documents and click Show
3. Select Add a State to get back in return. (not adding one, just a way to get inside return)
4. In the left hand-menu, select Tax Tools.
5. Select Print Center.
6. Then choose Print, save or preview this year’s return.
7. Now check the 2022 federal returns (or 2022 state returns) box and choose which forms to print out or all worksheets.
8. Select View or print forms, then go ahead and print.

If you still need further assistance, please reply back to this thread or click the following link to contact our TurboTax Customer Care team: Contact Us

@spencerporch

Re: How do I print my state return without the "E-FILE ONLY DO NOT MAIL" watermark? I chose File ...

viktoriias11 — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 23:46:34 GMT

I have the same issue. I followed the steps to Print Center, but the return still shows with watermarks on it.

Re: How do I print my state return without the "E-FILE ONLY DO NOT MAIL" watermark? I chose File ...

CarissaM — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 17:12:21 GMT

Are you e-filing or filing by mail? @viktoriias11

Re: How do I print my state return without the "E-FILE ONLY DO NOT MAIL" watermark? I chose File ...

viktoriias11 — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 22:35:42 GMT

I am filing by mail.

Re: How do I print my state return without the "E-FILE ONLY DO NOT MAIL" watermark? I chose File ...

ErnieS0 — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 01:10:06 GMT

Did you already transmit your state return?

TurboTax will ask you whether you want to file federal and state together. If you did not change your state to file by mail, TurboTax may have sent your state return, which is why you are still seeing the watermark.

TurboTax should have sent an email (and text message if you asked for one) telling you that your return has been transmitted and another that your return has been accepted.

You can also check with your state website to see whether they have a record of your filing.

For a link to your state tax state, go to How do I track my state refund?

@viktoriias11

Re: How do I print my state return without the "E-FILE ONLY DO NOT MAIL" watermark? I chose File ...

viktoriias11 — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 03:18:53 GMT

I've e-filed the federal return and it was already accepted. But I need to mail my state return instead of e-filing. On Turbotax, it says Ready to File next to my state return, but the forms still say Do Not Mail, E-File only.

Re: How do I print my state return without the "E-FILE ONLY DO NOT MAIL" watermark? I chose File ...

SForrestLO — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 17:10:51 GMT

Why does DO NOT FILE, FORM NOT FINAL appear on my printouts? This Turbo Tax FAQ will provide a solution.

Re: How do I print my state return without the "E-FILE ONLY DO NOT MAIL" watermark? I chose File ...

spencerporch — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 19:47:14 GMT

Hi @SForrestLO , this actually isn't the same issue. The returns are not watermarked with "form not final" - they are actually showing "Do Not Mail." I called Customer Service and we walked through everything to show that the steps were being completed correctly, yet resulting in the same error. I was advised to mail them anyway and that the state department of revenue should accept them, even with the watermark.