I need to file a California 540NR (nonresident form) as my home of domicile is California but I am posted overseas for the Federal Goverment (civilian).

[sjones5034]

I was able to do this last year in Turbo Tax, but this time its not letting me get to that form.  I am not a resident in another state.  Its a CA rule that enables residents posted out of state for Federal Government to be exempt from State taxes.  How do I get turbo tax to allow me access to the 540NR forms, and long form?

[luis2]

Same situation here. I'm guessing that you listed CA as your State of Residence. I did this and could not manage to get TurboTax to even offer the option of filing 540NR (non-resident). I finally got the software working, by doing the following:

On the "Personal Information" tab, I answered the State of Residency question as "Foreign Territory or U.S. Possession". Then in the "Other State Income" section, I listed California. This triggered TurboTax to include the CA state taxes. In the State Taxes tab, TurboTax will ask all the appropriate questions to determine if you need 540 or 540NR.

Good luck!

[luis2]

Found instructions posted by Intuit that are even easier. I have tested them with my filing (while my residency is listed in the s/w as CA for the whole year) and they worked:  

Using TurboTax Desktop:

    Open your tax return and go to Forms Mode.
    In the list of forms, locate the California Information Worksheet.
    Under Part II—Main Form, check the box next to the Form 540NR-Nonresident of Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return.
    Once done, go back through the interview and go back through your California return before filing.

[luis2]

Same situation here. I'm guessing that you listed CA as your State of Residence. I did this and could not manage to get TurboTax to even offer the option of filing 540NR (non-resident). I finally got the software working, by doing the following:

On the "Personal Information" tab, I answered the State of Residency question as "Foreign Territory or U.S. Possession". Then in the "Other State Income" section, I listed California. This triggered TurboTax to include the CA state taxes. In the State Taxes tab, TurboTax will ask all the appropriate questions to determine if you need 540 or 540NR.

Good luck!