State e-filing

[countrysquire]

Federal Return not due until July 15, and I owe tax, so I'm delaying filing. But I am getting a state refund and would like to file immediately. TurboTax won't let me e-file my state return until my federal return has been filed. Why not?  This should be fixed, ESPECIALLY this year, when federal return due date is delayed by 3 months, but state filing date remains unchanged.

[jillbink]

I believe you can file your federal return and indicate that you'll send your payment at a later date so you can continue with your state filing.  I did that for 2018 taxes.  I owed federal but got a state refund.

[KathrynG3]

For your identity protection, as well as simplicity, it is required that the Federal return is filed first. The state return begins with the Federal Adjusted Gross Income. If this amount was not submitted and therefore confirmed, theoretically, it could be changed. That change could be from you or someone else in the event of identity theft.

In the days to come, your state may update their requirements to align more closely with the federal changes.

Please see this resource for deadline updates:

The Tax Deadline Delayed: What to know about Coronavirus COVID-19 and your Taxes and State Tax Updat...

[Edited 3/24/2020 | 11:42 AM PST]

@countrysquire  

@jillbink 

[bluedeb · Accepted solution]

@countrysquire   It is not TurboTax that is stopping you from e-filing your State return before your Federal.  The law changed last year.  Although state returns can be e-filed with your federal return (or after your federal return has already been accepted), it's no longer possible to e-file state returns before the federal.

Can I e-file my state return before my federal?

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

[bluedeb · Accepted solution]

@countrysquire  I just had a thought.  You can file your Federal return now but you won't have to pay the taxes owed now, just choose to Pay by Check for Federal, then you can file your State return with the Federal.

When you are ready to pay, you can make your payment when ready on the IRS website by direct debit, credit card, or direct pay.  

https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-taxes-by-electronic-funds-withdrawal#errors

Or, as stated above you can pay by check.  You will need the Federal payment voucher 1040-V to mail with your check.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040v.pdf