New York E-file - Is It Free?

[GGBJr]

I have prepared a New York State return (first time) for one of my children.  Edit message says that New York State return MUST be e-filed.  When I print out the return from TurboTax it does not say this, and it gives a mailing address.  The edit message also said that the e-filing is free, and is part of the software.  I am using the five e-file allotments from TurboTax for very large federal returns.  Is there an exception for NY State?  What happens if I mail the return provided in the Turbo Tax File by Mail Instructions?

[MaryK4]

There is no efile exception to the 5 returns in TurboTax, only five (5) of those can be e-filed per IRS regulations and you cannot file the state return without filing the federal return.  You can use TurboTax Online or the mobile app to prepare multiple returns, but each return requires its own unique login and must be paid for separately- you can then efile the return (if it is a simple return you should be able to efile it for free on turbotax.com).  There really is nothing to stop you from mailing the paper form.

[VolvoGirl]

Yes there is an exception for New York.  NY efile is free, all other states are $25 to efile from the Desktop program ($20 before March 1).  You have to efile NY if you efiled the federal.  If you can't efile Federal it's ok to mail NY.  

[GGBJr]

Thank you for your detailed and rapid response.  Because the Federal returns that I am submitting for family members are so large, I am going to e-file the Federal returns and paper-file the New York State return.  Each of the five Federal returns has a state return associated with it.  Hence, I believe that e-filing all returns would amount to ten e-files, for which I would be paying $20-25 for five of the e-files?

TurboTax does print a New York State instructional page with each printed tax return, and the one for New York does not say anything about e-filing only.  I suppose that it is worth the risk.

Thanks again for your time expended!

[VolvoGirl]

No.  But I'm confused.  Are all the state returns for New York?  New York is free to efile. So no cost.

[GGBJr]

Thank you for your response.  I am hoping that e-filing the Federal and paper-filing the NY State return doesn't mess up the works.  I can't see laying out excess coins to e-file state returns, generally.  Unfortunately, there is not a package deal whereby one e-files all of the returns associated with a taxpayer, and the state returns (in my case) are minimal in number of pages, relative to the Federal.

Thanks again.

[GGBJr]

Sorry for the confusion.  The error message printed said that the e-filing is free, "because it is associated with the software used to prepare the return."  But, if Turbo Tax permits only five e-files, then e-filing a NY State return usurps one of the e-files that I need for the Federal returns that I file.  (Somehow I have been elected over the years to file my daughters' returns and those of their children, etc.)  And, because of Schedule D-related inputs, the Federal returns are always considerably longer than the state returns, so I like to use the e-files for the Federal returns.

[ahenry91011]

Just filed NY state return.  No request for payment.  

[AmyC]

The 5 returns are federal efile. You can efile multiple state returns. 

@GGBJr 

[GGBJr]

I learned a year ago that NY State will only accept an e-file return, and that TT does not charge for it , because it is part of the TT package for New York.

GB