Tax Year Prior to 2020: State return won't transmit e-file

[mesquitebean]

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@nwang wrote:

The Manually Update TurboTax link was outdated. Please update. Thank you!

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This is an old thread from last year.  What is your issue?   Since you chose this thread to post in, are you trying to efile a state return and encountering a problem?  If so, what and where is the roadblock?  Is there any error message?

Since you're asking about a manual update, I assume you are using desktop software (CD/download), but is it a personal tax product or the Business Edition (corporations, partnerships, etc.)?

What operating system--Windows or Mac--and what version?

[nwang]

Hi! Thank you for taking time into my little issue. I have the same issue as what happened here. I efiled my federal first and it was accepted. Then I tried to efile my state as well, but the software kept on telling me to efile the state with the federal. I was lead back to the previous page, where has no option for me since the federal was already transmitted. I check the efiling status to find the federal was accepted. So the software 'knows' my federal was accepted but it won't let me efile my state, because I didn't do them together. I called and the tech agent had no idea what to do.

[nwang]

Hi! Thank you for taking time into my little issue. I have the same issue as what happened here. I efiled my federal first and it was accepted. Then I tried to efile my state as well, but the software kept on telling me to efile the state with the federal. I was lead back to the previous page, where has no option for me since the federal was already transmitted. I check the efiling status to find the federal was accepted. So the software 'knows' my federal was accepted but it won't let me efile my state, because I didn't do them together. I called and the tech agent had no idea what to do.

[nwang]

I'm using windows version on PC

[mesquitebean]

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@ nwang wrote:

Hi! Thank you for taking time into my little issue. I have the same issue as what happened here. I efiled my federal first and it was accepted. Then I tried to efile my state as well, but the software kept on telling me to efile the state with the federal. I was lead back to the previous page, where has no option for me since the federal was already transmitted. I check the efiling status to find the federal was accepted. So the software 'knows' my federal was accepted but it won't let me efile my state, because I didn't do them together. I called and the tech agent had no idea what to do.

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This issue is a known issue for some users that's being investigated, so there's not a solution at the moment.    It started about 36 hours ago.   "Some" users are finding that they cannot efile their state return by itself even after the Federal return has been accepted.  

TurboTax started a trouble ticket and investigation on this issue a couple of days ago, and there is no new information yet.   Hopefully, you "should" be able to efile the state return once they figure out what is causing the roadblock.  They started a FAQ on this issue a couple of days ago, where you can sign up for notifications.   If it was happening to me, I'd just hold off for a while until I had more word from TurboTax because efiling is much better than filing on paper and mailing.   Hopefully, they can figure out a fix soon.

So far they have only this brief FAQ, where you can sign up for notifications:

FAQ:  Why am I not able to e-file my state return after filing my Federal return?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/why-am-i-not-able-to-e-file-my-state-return-after-...

It's not affecting all users, however.  So check again with the Review anderror check like mentioned in the FAQ, but it may not make a difference unless you do have an error crop up.   And here's something quick to try in the meantime, just to make sure that TurboTax is recognizing that your Federal return is accepted and saving it into the file.

• Launch TurboTax and open your return.
• In the top left corner of the TurboTax interface click on the FILE menu and in the dropdown, choose "Electronic Filing."
• Then in the next menu choose "Check electronic filing status."  Hopefully, it will say accepted.
• Then SAVE the file.
• Then close TurboTax, then re-launch it and try to efile state again, but I'm not real confident you will see any difference.  You may still reach a roadblock.

[Amyd3]

I was able to submit my Federal return but if I try to include my state return Turbo Tax just circles around in an endless loop. I have paid not only the $25 to file it but also $45.  I have spoken with 3 associates of Turbo Tax for a total of over 2 hours and 45 minutes. I am beyond exhausted with it. 

[mesquitebean]

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@ Amyd3 wrote:

I was able to submit my Federal return but if I try to include my state return Turbo Tax just circles around in an endless loop. I have paid not only the $25 to file it but also $45.  I have spoken with 3 associates of Turbo Tax for a total of over 2 hours and 45 minutes. I am beyond exhausted with it. 

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Sorry you're having trouble.  Are you able to describe the loop?   And are there any error messages?

What is the last screen you use before the loop happens?  i.e., exactly how far into the efiling process do you get before you reach the roadblock?  What screen are you clicking on that takes you back somewhere, and where does it loop back to??  What is it asking you to do again?

The state efile fee is $25 (except no fee for New York state).   How did you pay for it?  Did you pay by credit/debit card, or did you choose to pay the fee out of your Federal refund (which has a service charge--$45 in California; $40 in other states?)

The $45 you mentioned could be one of two things.   Are you a California filer? And, if so, did you choose to pay your fees out of your Federal refund?

If you are a California filer, the extra $45 service fee would be charged if you choose to pay your TurboTax fees out of the Federal refund, in which case it adds "Premium Services" for $45.  That optional payment method and $45 fee for "Premium Services" can be removed prior to filing, and then paying upfront with credit/debit card.

Or if you are not a California filer, and if you're paying the $25 fee upfront with credit/debit card, then an extra fee of $45 would be for Audit Defense.    If you signed up for Audit Defense, that can be removed prior to paying.

Once you answer the questions above, we may be able to provide more info.

[Amyd3]

I am an Oklahoma filer. I paid by credit card. The $45 charge came up when I was on the phone with the 3rd associate. 
The loop happens just going through the entire e-file process. There are no errors that show up. The last associate suggested that I update my computer. I did that. It didn’t make any difference. When I call in, they cannot see that I have paid. None of the codes that TT has given me work in the space where the associate is supposed to give you a code. 

[mesquitebean]

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@ Amyd3 wrote:

I am an Oklahoma filer. I paid by credit card. The $45 charge came up when I was on the phone with the 3rd associate. 
The loop happens just going through the entire e-file process. There are no errors that show up. The last associate suggested that I update my computer. I did that. It didn’t make any difference. When I call in, they cannot see that I have paid. None of the codes that TT has given me work in the space where the associate is supposed to give you a code. 

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I'm a fellow user and can't really tell what screens are looping without any info about what screen it is looping "from" and what screen it goes back to.  So  I don't know what the program is unhappy about.    I'll think out loud a bit.

If you are an Oklahoma filer, then a $45 fee would likely be a fee for Audit Defense.  However, if you didn't choose it, then how you ended up with it, I don't know.  You said it happened with the 3rd associate, so perhaps it was selected by accident when going through the screens with the associate while you were receiving help.

So you had previously entered all your credit card information and had proceeded beyond the payment screen?    When you look at your credit card account, how much is it showing you have actually completed payment for?   Does it show you have paid $25 (plus taxes) or $70 (plus taxes)?

If you haven't already paid the $45, and if was due to Audit Defense, you may be able to remove it.  Perhaps that "might" also help with any looping.    Here's how one would normally remove Audit Defense in the desktop product if one hasn't paid for it.  I don't know if you'll hit a roadblock or not.

Click on the REVIEW tab, then go to the Audit Protection subtab.  Go past the Audit Risk Meter until you get to the screen below where it can normally be removed if not paid.  (see image)
.

[Arletta1]

Same problem here with my 2020 federal and state e-file transmissions.

[mesquitebean]

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@Arletta1 wrote:

Same problem here with my 2020 federal and state e-file transmissions.

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We don't know what "same problem" is.  This is an old thread with several users with different issues so it's not clear who you are responding to.   You need to describe your issue in enough detail for folks to be able to comment.   What and where is the roadblock?  Any error message?

This thread was initially about a problem efiling the state return after the Federal return had been accepted.  So it doesn't sound like your issue is exactly the same if you've been unable to efile the Federal return as well.

[RetiredCPA1]

I’m having the same problem. Federal went through no problem

[KathrynG3]

If you are having difficulty filing the state after filing the federal return, please be certain you are in the same account. It is possible to have more than one login at Intuit. See: How many Intuit Accounts do I have with TurboTax?

If the state does not get e-filed at the same time, then it cannot be e-filed until the federal return is both accepted and approved. See: How do I e-file my state after I already filed my federal?

To confirm that the federal was filed,

check TurboTax: How do I check my e-file status? or

Check IRS: Where's my refund? or at: IRS View Your Tax Account.

[ken682]

I also tried to e-file my Federal and State.  When I said this they took me to their payment site to pay for the state e-file.  I paid it and then they checked to see if the state could be e-filed.   Because I had a form for underpayment of taxes that resulted in a penalty (all of $3), I was told I couldn't e-file the state forms and I had to snail mail them.  I now needed to ask for a refund of the state e-file fee.  I spent a lot of time looking for either a phone number to call for customer support or an email address -- finally found a phone number for customer support (it was attached to a description of the credit card charge with the credit card company) and still cannot find a customer support email.  The problem I found was that their whole customer support system is oriented towards answering tax questions.  The automated part of the customer support was terrible (example they asked me to slowly spell my last name but would never let me finish spelling it before it interrupted me).  Finally got to a person -- I explained I wanted a refund of the state e-filing fee and was sent a link to getting a refund -- after several hours of trying to follow that I discovered the instructions were only for getting a refund for the turbotax program.  I called again today (5 days after the credit card charge (which already showed up on my charges from day 1) and was told they didn't see the charge in my account.  That person said to call the credit card company and cancel it, not exactly proactive on their part.   

      I've used Turbotax for a number of years and this is the first time I really had an issue.  First off, I never should have been charged for the state e-filing until after they verified it could be e-filed.   Second, their customer service for anything other than tax questions is sorely lacking - I do understand that they may be having resource issues due to Covid.  But their miscue in the first issue, they should do better.

[mesquitebean]

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@ ken682 wrote:

 Because I had a form for underpayment of taxes that resulted in a penalty (all of $3), I was told I couldn't e-file the state forms and I had to snail mail them.  I now needed to ask for a refund of the state e-file fee.

What state was that?    I'm curious as to why an underpayment penalty would prevent efiling a state return, unless there is something peculiar about a penalty form in a specific state's return.  I can look at the forms list if I knew the state.  I've seen someone from Minnesota say they had that error, even though the forms list says the Minnesota underpayment schedule should allow it to be efiled.

Try this method to get to the correct TurboTax Support department for a state efile fee refund, or perhaps they know a way to efile it.

Hours are 5AM-9PM Pacific (8AM-12 Midnight Eastern) 7 days/week.

You can use this contact form to get a phone number, or it may schedule a callback.

In the question line just say billing issue without quotes.
https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact