Paper filling Federal But Efile State

[noviceattax]

I have to paper file Federal tax this year (as I want to get ITIN for my wife. See this answer.). However, can I still file state taxes online? I have to file two state taxes (IN and IL).

I am TurboTax Premier and my brother is filling one tax for CA using that. How much will I have to pay additional for filling IN and IL taxes online, if I can?

Please feel free to ask for clarifications.

[VolvoGirl]

Are you using the online version or the Desktop CD/Download program?  State prices work different.

Sorry  you can only efile state if the federal was first efiled and accepted.   If you mail federal you have to mail the states too.  See,

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/e-file/help/can-i-e-file-my-state-return-before-my-federal/00/2554...

[VolvoGirl]

Sounds like you are using the Desktop program.   You get 1 free state program download.  Then you have to buy each additional state download.  Currently each extra state is $40.  Then it is free to print and mail state returns.

[noviceattax]

Thanks for the response, @VolvoGirl . IL state has this online return filling option. Can I not even use this when I am filling my federal return via mailing papers offline? Or you mean that I can't e-file with TurboTax if I am not e-filing the federal?

Thanks,

[VolvoGirl]

I don't know how it works if you need to file the same return in 2 different states.   You might be able to file directly on the state website if you know how to break out the income and  any recipetory amounts.  Turbo Tax takes care of all that for you.   I guess after you prepare the state returns in Turbo Tax you can then use the state printout to fill out the state website to file it online.

Yes  I only mean you can't efile state from Turbo Tax if you don't efile federal.

[noviceattax]

What's special about breaking income state-wise? My w2 clearly shows separate incomes for the two states. Also, about stocks and dividends, I know the state I was living in when I sold them, so I can separate them. What else is different? Am I missing something?

Thanks,