topic State Tax Mail-in versus e-file in State tax filing

State Tax Mail-in versus e-file

DonB10 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:58:03 GMT

Do I have to pay the "Tax Preparation Fee" if I mail in my State tax return? In other words, in there anyway to file my Turbo Tax NY State tax return for free?

Re: State Tax Mail-in versus e-file

SForrestLO — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 02:45:00 GMT

If you have to file a State return there is a fee. Please visit our website below. Click on the State Additional hyperlink for more information.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/deluxe.jsp

If you are using the CD/Download one free state is included. If you want to e-file there is a fee of $19.99. You can choose to mail your state return to avoid the fee.

Re: State Tax Mail-in versus e-file

SteamTrain — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 15:26:07 GMT

AHHHH, but NY is special.

1) IF you can e-file Federal, you are supposed to e-file NY or there is a penalty for mail-filing.

2) For Online software, (unless you can use the "free" version) there is a separate fee for the software to prepare the NY tax return, you cannot get around that software Fee. But, there is no e-file fee after buying the NY software.

3) For the Desktop software, if you bought a version that contained 1 free state download, and you only need one state, then there is no additional cost for the one free set of State software....and for NY-ONLY, there is no e-file fee. All other states have a $20 or $25 e-file fee.

(If you buy the desktop software, some versions of Deluxe are issued without one free state download, so be careful which you buy, and only buy from well-known retailers. Amazon, BBuy, WalMart, Target, Staples...etc)