Turbotax home & business 2021 desktop won't allow me to do state returns without buying separate downloads. If you click on "start state now" it takes you to a payment screen. With previous versions I've always been able to complete my state returns and then choose at the end whether I e-file or not. This seems like a trick to force you to e-file even if you don't want to.
You do not have to e-file state returns when you use the CD/download. You can choose to print and mail the state returns to avoid that $25 per return state e-file fee. If you have to prepare returns for multiple different states, you do have to pay for the download of each additional state software program. I think each state is $45.
Do you need to do state returns for different states? You do get 1 free state program download to prepare unlimited state returns in that state. Then if you need to file a different state you need to buy each additional state separately. But there might currently be a problem in the desktop program with that.