topic Is there a way to file your state taxes prior to filing your federal taxes? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Is there a way to file your state taxes prior to filing your federal taxes?

DBLINY — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 07:07:53 GMT

I'd like to use money from State taxes to pay Federal taxes due.
Thank you.

Re: Is there a way to file your state taxes prior to filing your federal taxes?

NCperson — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 02:21:41 GMT

@DBLINY - that is probably a challenge in most all states. Most states use AGI or taxable income as calculated on the federal return to begin the state return.

Are you suggesting you have completed both the federal and state returns, and just want to file the State return at this time since you know there is a refund due while the federal return shows money due?

Best to file the federal return and pay what you can; it'll reduce the interest and penalties.

Re: Is there a way to file your state taxes prior to filing your federal taxes?

VolvoGirl — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 02:43:37 GMT

To file state before federal you would have to print and mail the state return.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/e-file/help/can-i-e-file-my-state-return-before-my-federal/00/25545

You have to first fill out federal for it to flow to state and pay the fees for both by credit card.

But the federal tax due was due back on April 18 unless you are in California. So interest and late penalty are accruing. You should still file federal asap. Say you will mail a check then pay it later.

Re: Is there a way to file your state taxes prior to filing your federal taxes?

fanfare — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 03:58:38 GMT

select the "I'll mail a check" opion to delay payment of your federal "amount you owe" until your state refund arrives.

BUT

if something goes wrong with the state return you could be waiting a long time.

@DBLINY

Re: Is there a way to file your state taxes prior to filing your federal taxes?

Opus 17 — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 12:46:23 GMT

Not by e-filing. Tax regulations require that a state return cannot be filed unless a federal return is e-file the first or at the same time. This is a security precaution, because in the last few tax seasons, there was significant fraud claimed by people filing state returns without a matching federal return, because the states had weaker security procedures.

You could e-file your federal and state returns at the same time, and select “I will pay by mail“ for your federal return, so that you do not make a payment at the time of filing. Then, when you receive your state refund, you could make the federal payment. However, as noted by others, you will still need to pay your federal tax debt even if your state refund is delayed.

Also, you are asking the question in August 2023. Your tax payments were due April 17–even if you had an extension to file, you were still required to pay on time. The penalty for failing to pay your tax bill on time is about 1% per month. If you did not have an extension on the deadline to file, the penalty for late filing and late payment is 5% per month for the first five months and then 1% per month after that. If you file now but don’t pay your federal taxes due, you can expect the penalties and interest to continue to accrue until you eventually do pay it.

Re: Is there a way to file your state taxes prior to filing your federal taxes?

xmasbaby0 — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 04:42:55 GMT

If you owe federal tax you are already late. You were supposed to pay by April 18 and are now subject to late penalties and interest. A state return cannot be e-filed unless you successfully e-file the federal return. You can e-file them at the same time -- when the software asks how you will pay your federal tax due, say that you will mail a check. TurboTax actually never knows how, when or even if you pay the tax due. If you need to wait until you have received your state refunds, then you can do that and pay the IRS at a later time----but be aware that the longer you wait, the more the interest accrues.

If you have federal tax due you can pay by mailing your payment with the 1040V voucher, (which has the address printed on it, having the payment taken out of a designated bank account, or you can pay directly on the IRS website.

https://www.irs.gov/payments

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-payments/help/how-can-i-pay-my-federal-taxes/00/26212

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-payments/help/how-do-i-pay-my-irs-tax-due-with-a-check-or-money-order/00/26403

To apply for a payment plan with the IRS

Apply Online for a Payment Plan

Re: Is there a way to file your state taxes prior to filing your federal taxes?

Mike9241 — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 04:46:29 GMT

I don't think it's possible to e-file the state without the federal. if you tried and got rejected or Turbotax wouldn't complete the transmission the reason is the federal must be filed either together with the state or before filing the state.

if you owe federal taxes you are already incurring penalties for late payment and if you didn't file a valid extension an additional penalty for late filing. it was due 4/18/2023 unless you are a Californian who has an extended due date.

you can file state by mail and wait for the refund to pay federal but the longer you wait to pay the federal the more the penalties and interest will grow.

check the iRS website for ways to pay including entering into a payment plan

https://www.irs.gov/payments