topic Re: Cannot access state tax software in State tax filing

Cannot access state tax software

PCD21 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:22:09 GMT

I cannot access my selected state tax software. I go to the state tax section and click on Start and a window opens for my state purchase. I click on my free state and click Download Now. A window opens and it says getting your software and concludes with a window telling me my software is up to date. I click OK and I am back at the Start button. I click Start and it just goes through the previous sequence again. It does so every time I try to start my state return. This is not a connectivity issue. I have a high-speed connection.

Re: Cannot access state tax software

DoninGA — Sat, 16 Dec 2023 15:29:29 GMT

Your state tax forms may not yet be ready to download.

Go to this TurboTax website for forms availability - https://form-status.app.intuit.com/tax-forms-availability/formsavailability?albRedirect=true&product=Turbotax_online&bu=cg

Re: Cannot access state tax software

PCD21 — Sat, 16 Dec 2023 16:09:06 GMT

Thank you for your response. My state is Illinois and the link you provided to me says that the forms are not available for filing by mail until 1-11-24 and for e-file until 1-4-24. So this is the same as not being able to input any information into TT?

Re: Cannot access state tax software

DoninGA — Sat, 16 Dec 2023 16:15:11 GMT

Right. You should be able to download and start your state return in early January.

Re: Cannot access state tax software

PCD21 — Sat, 16 Dec 2023 16:23:06 GMT

Thank you.

Re: Cannot access state tax software

oldme — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 03:40:50 GMT

So what good was it to buy TT early? I need to figure IF I paid enough in to cover the capital gains on sale of an apartment building.... Should have just started a new file in 2022 TT and input everything manually!!!

Re: Cannot access state tax software

steckler — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 05:40:10 GMT

this is extremely poor performance - exactly riight what's the point of getting turbotax before the end of the year- in the old days at least you could download and imput even if forms weren't finalized - so that you had estimates of your payments

Re: Cannot access state tax software

Critter-3 — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 01:55:06 GMT

Even though the downloaded program comes out sometime in November each year it is only a beta version which will not be fully operational until late January at the earliest (much later for some forms and the state programs). Efiling will not be open until late January at best so do not be in a rush to file.

Same with the Online version which becomes functional sometime in December.

http://taxpreparationsoftware.com/

If you are trying to do some 2023 tax planning then use the fully operational 2022 downloaded version instead.

This is my mini version of a tutorial that should be in the downloaded program:

What is Forms Mode?

Forms Mode lets you view and make changes to your tax forms "behind the scenes."

If you're adventurous, you can even prepare your return in Forms Mode, but we don't recommend it. You may miss obscure credits and deductions you qualify for, and you may forget to report things that will come back and haunt you later.

Forms Mode is exclusively available in the TurboTax CD/Download software. It is not available in TurboTax Online.

Related Information:

If you want to play around with different figures and tax scenarios without affecting your original return you can ….

>>>In the TurboTax CD/Download software by creating a test copy:
1. Open your return in TurboTax.
2. From the File menu, choose Save As.
3. Give the copy a new name to distinguish it from the original (for example, by adding "Test" or "Example" to the file name).
4. Click Save. You are now safely working in the test copy and anything you do here will not affect the original.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900642-how-to-make-a-test-copy-of-your-return

>> use the WHAT IF tool:
- Click Forms Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 2 (forms view)
- Click on the Open Form Icon
- In the “Type a form name.” area type What-If (with the dash), click on the name of the worksheet - click on Open Form
- You will see the worksheet on the right side of the screen; enter the information right into the form
- To get back to interview mode - click on the Step-by-Step Icon (upper right of screen) or Ctrl 1

Once you have filed successfully … you can shut off the auto updater function and then save the return & .taxfile.

For Windows, up in the top menu, you can set the "Updater Preferences" to "Always Ask" or more commonly set to "I don't have an internet connection" (even if you do), and then you are not forced to update....and can manually force an update when you choose to do so. And then you can open the file(s) at any time with no forced upgrade.

But that's the Windows software.....not a MAC. For a MAC you cannot turn off the auto updater HOWEVER you can simply disconnect from the internet before opening the tax return.

It's always a good idea to make a backup copy of your tax data file, in case your original gets lost or corrupted. Here's how:

From the File menu in the upper-left corner of TurboTax, choose Save As (Windows) or Save (Mac).
Browse to where you want to save your backup.
- Tip: If you're saving to a portable device, save it to your computer first to prevent data corruption. Then, after completing Step 4, copy or move the backup file to your device.
In the File name field, enter a name that will distinguish it from the original tax file (for example, add "Backup" or "Copy" to the file name)
Click Save and then close TurboTax.
Restart TurboTax and open the backup copy to make sure it's not corrupted. If you get an error, delete the backup and repeat these steps.

If you make changes to your original tax return file, repeat these steps to ensure your original and backup copies are in-synch.

Related Information:

AND save it as a PDF so you have access to a copy even if you don’t have the program still installed and operational :

AND protect the files :

How can I protect the tax files on my computer?

*** Other clues to the downloaded program ***

In the forms mode ... double click or right click on a box on a form to data source it ... sadly it doesn't work on all boxes.

What's the meaning of all the different colors in Forms Mode?

When you look at an onscreen tax form using Forms Mode, you might wonder why one figure is blue and the one next to it is red or black.

These colors indicate the source of that data.

Color	Meaning
Blue	You entered this data, either in the interview or Forms Mode.
Black	The program entered this data or calculated this amount.
Red	This data has either been overridden or is invalid (for example, a ZIP code that doesn't exist).
Red italics	You marked this amount as estimated.
Black italics	The program calculated this amount from an amount you marked as estimated.
Purple	This information has supporting details.
Aquamarine	This data was transferred over from last year.
Green	This data was imported from Quicken or QuickBooks.
Yellow fields (Windows)	Yellow fields allow user input. Anything you enter here shows up in blue.

PRIOR YEAR USE OF A SUPPORTING DETAILS WORKSHEET :

If you find you have a $0 in an entry field that cannot be changed … this issue is almost always one in which you used a "Supporting Details" (SD) sheet in that field in the prior year. What happens is that when you transfer in the prior year's data, the SD sheet is transferred too, but empty...and that causes the $0 to show up in many areas of the Step-by-Step mode interview....wherever the SD sheet was used before.

But when switching to Forms Mode, when you try to enter a $$ amount in a field where the SD sheet is attached, the SD sheet will pop up immediately, and you can either enter the $$ amount on that sheet, or delete the SD sheet entirely and avoid future issues (unless you really want the SD sheet)

Sometimes, when you see the $0 in Step-by-Step, you can just

a) double-click on the field and the SD sheet will pop up. But I've seen that doesn't work in all cases.

b) Another way is to click on the field, then go up to the menu..."<<Edit<<<Add Supporting Details"....then the SD sheet pops up and you can use it, or delete the SD sheet entirely and then the regular field will work properly.

c) OR click on the problem field, then switch to Forms Mode to make that entry

Re: Cannot access state tax software

joe-cucchiaro-or — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 21:42:39 GMT

I am having the exact same issue with my Minnesota state tax download.

Re: Cannot access state tax software

joe-cucchiaro-or — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 21:48:17 GMT

This is a really poor experience. Why can't the software just return an error that says the forms are not available instead of not giving any indication that there is an issue and instead making me waste time searching for support?

Re: Cannot access state tax software

PCD21 — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 01:15:46 GMT

That would be a much simpler solution, I tried to download the tax software 4 times before I came to this forum for the answer.

Re: Cannot access state tax software

ee-ea — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 01:37:07 GMT

MN tomorrow. https://care-cdn.prodsupportsite.a.intuit.com/forms-availability/turbotax_mn_online_individual.html

Re: Cannot access state tax software

Sandy9108 — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 18:55:21 GMT

That link indicates that MD state isn't available till 3-1-24?? I paid for it when TT said it was available on 2-15-24 and now it's not available till 3-1-24, just 2 weeks before returns are due!!!!! Unbelievable!!!

Re: Cannot access state tax software

franklemus3 — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 00:53:03 GMT

I see the exact same issue as described on a previous post:

"cannot access my selected state tax software. I go to the state tax section and click on Start and a window opens for my state purchase. I click on my free state and click Download Now. A window opens and it says getting your software and concludes with a window telling me my software is up to date. I click OK and I am back at the Start button. I click Start and it just goes through the previous sequence again. It does so every time I try to start my state return. This is not a connectivity issue. I have a high-speed connection."

The provided link provided link does not list the state form I need to complete the state return. This form is NM State Partnership. What can be done about this?

Re: Cannot access state tax software

PatriciaV — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 22:11:57 GMT

According to the Forms Availability Table, all forms in the New Mexico State module have been released and are available for download. If you've received a message that your software is up to date but your state module does not install, you may need to run the State Clean Up Utility. The link to the tool is found here: State install/e-file update loop.

Re: Cannot access state tax software

franklemus3 — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:19:40 GMT

I tried the tool and the 2 different installations methods in the instructions. It is still stuck in the loop. It continues to ask to download the state forms. What else can be done?

Re: Cannot access state tax software

PaulaM — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:25:39 GMT

You may need to contact support if running the cleaning tool did not clear up your issue.

Re: Cannot access state tax software

GLONE — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 17:17:25 GMT

I have the same issue as of today's date. Bought and paid for state download (business). Says it's downloaded and up to date. Then, I click "Start State" and I am brought back to purchase and download page. I click box for downloading my purchased state program, and it loops me back to screen saying my software is up to date. I've closed program and restarted. I've restarted computer. Impossible to reach live help or get any on-line assist. Is there a glitch? Is there a fix. Corporate taxes due in 18 days. Appreciate any help

Re: Cannot access state tax software

Sandy9108 — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 17:49:17 GMT

Not sure if you're in MD like we are, but the link provided by another member above in page 1 of the chain indicates that MD State business software will not be available till 3-1-24.

Re: Cannot access state tax software

GLONE — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 18:20:50 GMT

Hi Sandy. I am in NE. I can't find that it is not available yet but maybe that is the case. I am running the TTCleanStatestool.zip application provided by Turbotax as others mentioned. It doesn't work either. So, I'm left with waiting until the 1st to see if maybe that is the case in NE or completely uninstalling and reinstalling Turbotax which is the alternative instruction offered by Turbotax on their TTcleanstates app mentioned above. Thanks for your input and happy taxes.