You can always efile just your Federal return without filing the state. No one in any state is required to efile a state return first; in fact, it cannot be done. But if you don't need the state form, we should be able to tell you what is going on when you answer one simple question.
What state is it? Is it Florida by any chance? If so, we can tell you what happened. You appear to be using Free Edition, so if that's the case you won't be charged for the state return, and even if you WERE charged, it can be refunded. If you already registered, then you won't be able to delete the "state return", but you do NOT have to file it.
If it's Florida, then Florida doesn't have a state income tax so there is nothing to send to the state. But some filers who have FL businesses or FL rental property with "tangible personal property" have to file a DR-405 form with the county appraiser by April 1. Most people in Florida will not have to do that.
We'll tell you more info and what to do when you confirm what state it is.
It's TN. And it is the free edition. When I was filing I tried to back out of the state after doing my federal but it wouldn't let me go anywhere but forward. After everything was said and done it said itself TN doesn't have a return but it still made me continue and file. I filed jan.28th and it was accepted Jan. 28th but I have yet to receive anything. I don't know what to do.
Oh, Tennessee. Well, that's why it's good to name the state when asking a question about a state return. 🙂
TN does not have a state income tax per se, but it has what is called a "Hall Tax" on interest and dividends. Tennessee residents only file a tax return if their interest and dividend income exceeded $1,250 ($2,500 for joint filers).
If that doesn't apply to you, then you wouldn't have needed to file anything with the state. Or did you exceed that amount in interest and dividends?
During preparation you can't get rid of the state return by "backing out", but it could have been deleted prior to registering.
In any case, TurboTax does not force anyone to actually file a state return, even if one was prepared. People commonly file just the Federal return.. Those are independently selectable in the filing section.
If there is a delay in receiving your Federal refund, it has nothing to do with a state return. The IRS does its own thing. So I don't know why you think your Federal delay has anything to with the TN return. We can help you check on your Federal refund.
First, double-check with this tool to be SURE the Federal return was efiled successfully and accepted. What do you see with this?
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://shop.turbotax.intuit.com/efile/efile_status_lookup.jsp">https://shop.turbotax.intuit.com/efile/efile_status_lookup.jsp</a>
If that tool confirmed that it was accepted, what do you see at the IRS website below for the status of your Federal refund? When using this tool, you can find your Federal refund amount on your Form 1040, Line 20a.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/Refunds">https://www.irs.gov/Refunds</a>
If the IRS tool says it is still "being processed", we can tell you how to speak to a live agent at the IRS to see if they can tell you anything about the delay.
If that IRS tool shows that the refund was sent, and you didn't receive it, report back for more info.
We can tell you the steps to reach a live agent at the IRS. If you don't get good info from the IRS when you talk to them, we can tell you how to contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service for your area for assistance.
It was accepted Jan. 28th....and it does say still being processed. What do I do now??
I'm going to leave info below on phoning the IRS, and also how to contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service, if needed.
Here's how to phone the IRS to see if you can learn anything about the delay. These steps should get you to a live agent.
IRS: 800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Mon-Fri
Listen to each menu before making the selection.
First choose your language. Press 1 for English.