TurboTax won't let me efile state tax (MA)

[jg60]

Hello, I am using 2020 TurboTax Deluxe.  I successfully efiled my federal return awhile ago, and am now trying to efile my state return (MA) (TurboTax had said some state forms needed to be updated, so I waited).  However, when I select efile state taxes, TurboTax says correctly that I have already efiled my federal taxes, but then comes up with a page that says in order to efile my state taxes I must  efile my federal taxes.  It will not let me proceed, and says I must go back and select my federal taxes, which of course I cannot do.  This seems like a bug.  There are no issues with my state return that were flagged etc.  Any advice?  or do I have to just print out state and mail it in?

[JH97]

I am having the same issue as described.  Thanks.

[Thinker43]

I have exactly the same issue for the state of Illinois. I have been trying to e-file IL for over a week and keep getting the same problem described. There was a suggestion to clean cache on another forum and that did nothing. 

[302Rigby]

Same problem cannot get federal form to go with efile of State tax return

[DoninGA]

---

@302Rigby wrote:

Same problem cannot get federal form to go with efile of State tax return

---

See this TurboTax support FAQ for this problem and to sign up for updates - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/why-am-i-not-able-to-e-file-my-state-return-after-...

[bassplayer]

I'm having the exact same issue with filing state tax with Georgia.  It's been more than a week since TurboTax has been made aware of this problem but there is still no fix :(

[Pennie52]

I am having the same issue with Oklahoma state taxes. I am using Home & Business. Filed federal about 3 weeks ago, but needed the refund to pay the state taxes owed. Not TurboTax will not let me e-file state taxes, it keeps telling me I must e-file federal first, which I have. When I go to e-file, it correctly states that my federal taxes have been e-filed. It is in an endless loop of sending me back to e-file federal taxes, tells me it has done so, sends me to e-file the state taxes, tells me I must file federal first, and on and on and on and on.  

[Sandip1]

I'm having the same issue with Hawaii State tax return.  Saying to check back after January 19, 2022.  Spoke to Hawaii Tax Office and they say it's TurboTax issue.  Can someone please update the states?  Looks like several states having the same issue.

[Cynthiad66]

TurboTax can only update the programs when it receives the updated forms from each state.  Once the forms are received and updated, your taxes will process through the system accurately.  You will have to check back frequently to determine when the return will be processed.

[AmesLyn82]

This is because the IRS requires your federal return to be filed and processed before they will look at your state return because any changes they may need to make to your federal will most likely affect your state return. Turbo tax will file your state once your federal ID accepted and processed. At least that was the case for me. Hope this helps. 

[JakinaLu]

May I ask when this was going on, did you ever check your refund progress and it said your information didn’t match since we can’t file both Federal and State together? 

[MonikaK1]

You won't be able to have your state tax return accepted or processed until after the IRS opening date for filing of January 27, 2025. This is because the IRS requires your federal return to be filed and processed before they will look at your state return because any changes they may need to make to your federal will most likely affect your state return.

The IRS begins accepting e-filed 2024 returns on January 27, 2025. You can file your federal return when you have all of your 2024 tax info (W-2s, 1099s, etc.) and all the tax forms and schedules in your return have been finalized. Most should be ready by late January. You can file your state return once the Federal returns are able to be processed.

Accepted means your tax return was received and has passed initial inspection, such as correct Social Security number and correctly claimed dependents.

For more information, please see this TurboTax help article.

@JakinaLu - you posted on a thread that included inquiries from prior years. If you have a question regarding a specific tax issue besides when you can file Federal and State returns together, please clarify.

[JakinaLu]

I filed my Federal already since Turbo said it can go ahead and be filed, so do you think that’s the reason when I click Where’s my Refund on the IRS site it says my info doesn’t match because I didn’t get to file my state yet? And will my Federal still get processed first when the IRS starts accepting them?

[MonikaK1]

Even though you submitted your Federal return through TurboTax already, the IRS won't start accepting and processing returns until January 27th, so you won't see anything on "Where's My Refund" until after that date.

Yes, your Federal return will need to be processed before the state return.

@JakinaLu 

[JakinaLu]

Thank you