On starting the state return before 100% done with the fed return.

[ejp2]

Does anyone know if I leave a couple items in the fed return incomplete, say, potential charitable or medical deductions, then plow ahead and complete the state return, then go back and finish the fed, on re-entering the state return, will the recent fed work automatically ripple through the state return since it's initially derived from the fed return to start with? This is California, if that matters.

Thanks for any thoughts.

[ThomasM125 · Accepted solution]

You will normally be OK doing that, but it would be best to complete the federal return as much as possible before you do the state return, as there may be questions on the state return that are prompted by entries on the federal return. It is possible then that you may miss something if you move back and forth between the two returns.

[ejp2]

OK, thank you!  I'll take that as sage advice.