Can't e-file NYS without filing Federal at same time, already e-filed Federal!

[gmalin99]

I can't e-file my NYS taxes because it says I also have to e-file Federal.  The previous page confirms I already e-filed Federal.  Not only have I already e-filed Federal, I've gotten my refund back! TT needs to fix its state filing, its a disaster this year.

[ee-ea]

The reason that you're experiencing difficultly with e-filing a New York state tax return is almost certainly due to the fact that the TurboTax software won't allow that to happen, when the user has first selected (or was forced into) the paper file option for their federal tax return.  There is no way to "fix" this, or to change the software program to accommodate a New York state e-file. 

The underlying reasons for this, however, are that the New York Department of Taxation and Finance needs a taxpayer's Form 1040 (federal return) in order to process the state return.  Where there exists no e-file version of the TurboTax user's federal tax return, it is not possible for the software to create one just for a New York e-file effort.  Also, in an effort to combat tax return identity fraud (theft), in cooperation with the state revenue authorities, it is not possible in TurboTax to e-file just a state tax return alone, without an accompanying e-file federal tax return.

Thus, despite New York's mandate for e-filing, you are left with a couple of reasonable choices. 

Probably the easiest thing to do, however, is to simply ignore the New York e-file mandate (for the very good reason that you are unable to comply in TurboTax, having already paper filed a federal tax return), and print and mail your state return to New York, along with signed copies of Pages 1 and 2 of your Form 1040.  Here is a link to the valid, official, New York mailing addresses that you can use for this paper filing purpose:

https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/file/return_assembly_mail.htm

[FrauBlucher]

GREAT ANSWER! Thank you! I have been looking for a plausible explanation and even spent an HOUR on the phone with a very nice person from Tech Support. She couldn't figure the problem out and "sent it on with a ticket #" or whatever such thing they do at TT. My issue is exactly as you have described it. But, I think TT is still LAME in that it says they cannot accommodate such a situation, i.e., I have reached my 5 Fed e-file limit (ok fine I will file by mail), but NYS REQUIRES me to e-file if I have prepared my return with software. Your explanation certainly points to why TT won't prepare the NYS e-file (no companion Fed e-file). If that is the case, I believe it would be a very simple programming issue to prepare the Fed e-file info needed (unseen and unaccessible to the user) to incorporate with the mandated (and free) NYS e-file. 

Also, if I DO in fact mail in my NYS return, I do not see where there is any requirement to also send Page 1 and 2 of my 1040. Could you reference that for me?

However, in defense of the OP, who stated that he/she DID in fact e-file the Fed Return and STILL was denied a NYS e-file. Further proof of programming "foul-ups" or incompetence.

I am not pleased with TT this year at all. I have been a loyal user for almost 30 years and I will consider other alternatives next year. BTW, this is a "Official" TT message site, is it not? Does anyone from TT Tech Support actually read these questions, answers, and messages? Surely SOMEONE at TT has an official answer for this situation, which has been brought up numerous times. You would think that the Techies answering the support calls would at least have a "Knowledge File" or some such thing so they can more easily answer questions that frequently come up. Surely, I was not the first person to call with this question.