Multi-state income

[runnerinnw]

I use Turbo Tax to file taxes for several family members.  On my personal return, I have income in Washington State and Minnesota.  Therefore I have to pay state taxes for Minnesota (mine only).  For the remaining returns, there is only income from Washington State.  The problem is that for these other returns, TurboTax tries to get me to prepare and file these other returns for Minnesota.  At the beginning of these other returns, I always select that there is no other income than from Washington State.  This is confusing when I go to file them and TurboTax wants me to file and submit for Minnesota.  TurboTax programmers should easily be able to fix this problem.  

Also, TurboTax charges me fees totaling $80 to submit my Minnesota return electronically but doesn't let me know this until just before hitting the send button.  At this point, I back out and mail in a hard copy for about $1.50 postage. You could let us know earlier in the process of what the state fees are going to be for filing electronically.  

I have a few other suggestions that could make TurboTax easier or less confusing but I've whined enough on this post.

Thank you

[VolvoGirl]

When you do the other returns just do not go though the state tab.  Do not select a state to start.  You are starting new returns for each person right?  Go up to File-New.

Then for state fees.  It is the same every year.  In the Desktop program you get one free state PROGRAM download to prepare unlimited state returns. Then each state return (including the first one) is $20 to efile, usually goes up to $25 March 1. Or you can print and mail state for free.  

Then if you want to have the state efile fee deducted from your federal refund there is an Extra $40 Refund Processing Service charge (45 in California).  Which you can avoid by paying upfront with a credit card.  Watch what you click on!   There is one screen that can trip you up.