How on earth do I file my state taxes by mail?

[Shadowharvest]

I already efiled my federal taxes but I don't want to efile my state return. I just want to print them out and mail them off rather than pay another fee to file. I did mine online through the app since the software wasn't available in stores like before which is how I did it last year. 

[DawnC]

You can choose File by Mail for your state return even though you e-filed the federal.   This link has instructions.   It talks about e-filing the state, but you don't have to choose E-file for your state, you can pick File by Mail for your state.   An instruction page will print to tell you what to include and where to mail it.    DON'T FORGET TO SIGN IT BEFORE YOU MAIL IT!

[Shadowharvest]

I tried that multiple times and it didn't work. It continues to ask me for payment and does not give me any option to file by mail. I paid through TurboTax for federal delue and efile. I didn't use a CD or a download from a retailer since no one had them this year. This is so frustrating and ridiculous that I won't be using TurboTax again next year for sure. 

[VolvoGirl]

Did you only pay for federal?  In the online version state is a separate charge to prepare whether you efile or print and mail.   You need to pay with a credit card.  Online is different than the Desktop CD/download program.

How to see your fees

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/how-do-i-review-my-fees-in-turbotax-online/0...

[VolvoGirl]

See here on the Online version page it says State Additional under each price?  State is $49.

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

[VolvoGirl]

So you might as well try to efile it.  It's the same fee either way.  Efiling is free and included.  The Online fee is to prepare the return.

[Shadowharvest]

🙄 See this is what I was talking about. Last year I did it with the CD which I was able to find with no problem. This year the CD version or a download code was nowhere to be found because it had both the federal and one state efile but I just used the mail option. TurboTax wants an additional $49 just to prepare the state return? Lol no thanks. Like I said before this is absolutely frustrating and I never would have done it through online had this been the case. Next year I'll go a different route as this is just another frustrating situation with TurboTax in addition to the other frustrating things. 

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry.  Online is completely separate and different than the Desktop program.  You can buy the CD or download from many places.  Did you ask us?  You can buy directly from Turbo Tax or online from Costco or Amazon, Walmart, Staples, etc.  lots of places.  If they don't have the CD in the store you can get it online.  Where were you looking?

Did you notice the differences?  Were you able to transfer from 2020 on your computer into the Online version?  You could have.  Here's some more info on Online.  Be sure to save your return to your computer.

If you used the Desktop program before you may not like the online version.  It has less features and no Forms Mode.  You can only do 1 return.  Your return is only saved online so be sure to save both the .tax2021 data file and the pdf file to your computer when you are done.  In case you need to amend in the future or if you need a copy to get a loan or something.  You might not be able to access your online return when you need a copy.