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New Member
posted Jun 4, 2019 6:00:21 PM

My California state tax status says started, what does this mean ? do i have to do anything ? when will it be filled ?

California tax return status as started

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 6:00:46 PM

It appears that all the California forms are available, so you should be able  to go back and open up your State return to complete and file it.  Carefully review it before filing since the forms may have updated since you last worked on it.

NOTE:  If you file the Federal return by mail, then you'll need to file the State return by mail, too.


NOTE:  When you go back to your account to finish and file your return, you may see a notice to finish and file the state return.  If so, you can follow that path to see if it gets you back to the state return.

If it doesn't, here's a way to open the state return back up.

  • Log in and go to the section "Your Tax Returns & Documents."  Click on that line or the word SHOW to expand that section.
  • Choose 2017.
  • Choose "Add a state."  (you're not really adding one; that's just to get the return to open up.)
  • Once the return is open, you can go to the State Taxes tab to complete the state return.  Carefully review it before filing since some of the forms may have updated.  Continue in that section until it says "Done with State" (or similar words.)
  • Also step through the REVIEW tab to run the error check and be sure all is in order.
  • Then go to the FILE section to select a filing method, and choose to file only the State return.
  • If efiling, make sure you go all the way to the end and click on "Transmit My Returns Now."
  • If filing by mail, you will need to print, sign, and mail the return yourself.  TurboTax does not mail it for you.
NOTE:  Do NOT use this method to open a return to make changes/edits to an already-filed return (one that has actually been mailed or efiled.)   If you later need to make changes to an already-filed return, you have to go through the formal amending process, and your return must start off exactly as originally filed.

15 Replies
Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 6:00:23 PM

Has your Federal return been accepted?

If your California return has a status of "started", that means it has not been completed and filed.   If your Federal return has been accepted, I can tell you how to finish and efile the state return.

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 6:00:24 PM

Federal return is with the status ready to mail, California is with the status "started" i can't edit or make any changes. As i am out of country to i am filling via mail and not e-file due to some issue which i couldn't resolve online.

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 6:00:26 PM

What was the issue you couldn't resolve?   Were you unable to efile because you had a zero-income return due to the foreign earned income exclusion?  If so there may be a workaround for that.

If you file the Federal return by mail, then  you'll have to physically print, sign, and mail it yourself.  TurboTax will not mail it for you.

For the State return you said "I can't edit or make any changes."
What do you mean by that?   Do you mean you need to know how to open the state return back up to finish it?   Or can you open it, but then there is some technical problem?

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 6:00:30 PM

Oh I thought Turbo tax will mail it for me. It was saying check out of country check box, i tried doing it 10 times but the same message would come again that on your form click out of state check-box. About the edit i only see the status of my tax return and an option to print it no option to go back or edit, etc.

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 6:00:32 PM

No, TurboTax has never mailed any tax returns.  You have to do it.

If you want someone to help you with that Federal return error, are you able to phone TurboTax Support in the USA using an 800-number?  Some countries don't allow it.   I can tell you how, if you can.  Or I can tell you how to contact TurboTax Support by Twitter or Facebook.

I will tell you in an answer below how to open the State return to finish it.   If you mail the Federal return, then you'll have to mail the State return, too.

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 6:00:33 PM

I can call 1800 number , do you know the full number. I might talk to someone at Turbo tax and ask them for help in filing online rather than via mail. if not then i can request any of my friends to mail it on my behalf, but wouldn't want to take the favor if their is any other option available such as e-filing.

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 6:00:35 PM

thanks a lot for your help

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 6:00:36 PM

You're welcome.  Good luck.  I left the info below on completing the State return.

In this article, you will see the full 800 number.  Look in the Online section.   It appears after the steps.  You can't use the step method overseas--they won't phone you back.  So go right to the phone number.

FAQ:  What is the TurboTax phone number?
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263">https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263</a>

Hours 5AM-9PM Pacific (8AM-12 Midnight Eastern.)

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 6:00:37 PM

@abbasleghari
Ignore a sentence that was in the original answer below.  This pasted answer is the same answer that I give to users who have already filed their Federal return.   There was a sentence that said not to make any changes in the Federal return because it had already been filed.  That does NOT apply to you.   Since you have not mailed your returns, you can make whatever changes you need to in either the Federal or State return.    It is only once the returns have been mailed or efiled that one should not make changes this way.

I removed the sentence below, but you may have been emailed the original answer.

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 6:00:39 PM

I figured out the reason i am unable to file my federal return online. I have foreign address so i have selected the foreign address option, but for some reason on the form my local us address is filled out.. Instruction is to have local address field empty if you are choosing to provide foreign address. on the application it is correct but for some reason on my form (tax form look a like) the local address keep showing up. do you know I can get it fixed.

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 6:00:40 PM

Sorry, I don't.   You can start a new thread with that information in the question title, and someone familiar with it might respond.   Or you can phone TurboTax Support.

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 6:00:42 PM
New Member
Jun 4, 2019 6:00:43 PM

you are a savior !! you saved me from all the hassle the first link you shared solved the issue.

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 6:00:44 PM

Great news!    So if you can efile the Federal, then you should be able to efile the State, too.   Good luck.

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 6:00:46 PM

It appears that all the California forms are available, so you should be able  to go back and open up your State return to complete and file it.  Carefully review it before filing since the forms may have updated since you last worked on it.

NOTE:  If you file the Federal return by mail, then you'll need to file the State return by mail, too.


NOTE:  When you go back to your account to finish and file your return, you may see a notice to finish and file the state return.  If so, you can follow that path to see if it gets you back to the state return.

If it doesn't, here's a way to open the state return back up.

  • Log in and go to the section "Your Tax Returns & Documents."  Click on that line or the word SHOW to expand that section.
  • Choose 2017.
  • Choose "Add a state."  (you're not really adding one; that's just to get the return to open up.)
  • Once the return is open, you can go to the State Taxes tab to complete the state return.  Carefully review it before filing since some of the forms may have updated.  Continue in that section until it says "Done with State" (or similar words.)
  • Also step through the REVIEW tab to run the error check and be sure all is in order.
  • Then go to the FILE section to select a filing method, and choose to file only the State return.
  • If efiling, make sure you go all the way to the end and click on "Transmit My Returns Now."
  • If filing by mail, you will need to print, sign, and mail the return yourself.  TurboTax does not mail it for you.
NOTE:  Do NOT use this method to open a return to make changes/edits to an already-filed return (one that has actually been mailed or efiled.)   If you later need to make changes to an already-filed return, you have to go through the formal amending process, and your return must start off exactly as originally filed.