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New Member
posted May 31, 2019 11:09:50 PM

Can I file Federal via efile and mail state?

0 15 12597
15 Replies
Intuit Alumni
May 31, 2019 11:09:52 PM

Yes you can. When you get to the file section of the program you are able to select e-file for your federal and print and mail in your state return. The program will ensure that you have all the forms you need when you mail your state return. 

New Member
May 31, 2019 11:09:54 PM

I efiled federal.  There is no option to print and mail the state return.  The only option I am given is to efile state.  How do I (or Turbotax) fix this?

Level 1
May 31, 2019 11:09:55 PM

Same problem here.

Level 1
May 31, 2019 11:09:59 PM

I just figured it out. After you efile your federal, go back and say you want to print and mail it. It then gives you the option to do the state taxes.

New Member
May 31, 2019 11:10:02 PM

2017 as well?

New Member
May 31, 2019 11:10:04 PM

It's not clear at all for 2017, but after you e-file federal, go back and change the file option to mail.  It does not refile federal, but allows you to set up the state filing option.

New Member
May 31, 2019 11:10:08 PM

THIS WORKED WELL.

New Member
May 31, 2019 11:10:13 PM

Wasn't obvious - paid to efile state - Turbo Tax should allow both options to be selected instead of having to go back and change federal to paper after you have already efiled

New Member
May 31, 2019 11:10:13 PM

Thank you bondudley. Worked perfect, too bad TurboTax doesn't make this easier other than they want you to efile.

New Member
May 31, 2019 11:10:14 PM

why should I have to pay $20 to MAIL the state?  If you choose to efile so you can e-file just the federal, it doesn't give you an option not to pay the $20.

Level 1
May 31, 2019 11:10:16 PM

We selected print by mail which gave us the screen to select e-file federal, could only select e-file or not ready for state, chose not ready. CX will submit federal efile then return to file process which should make the mail option a default. CX siad he posted a question "on the exchange" I told him I would mention that in case it helps someone at intuit clear a question they can post this workaround we did.

New Member
May 31, 2019 11:10:19 PM

Yes. When using the desktop version click:

1.Click File a return- Click Continue

2. Clink File by mail-Click Continue

3. State: Click print my state return to file by mail now

    Federal: Click do no print my federal return to file by mail now-Click Continue

New Member
May 10, 2020 8:19:38 PM

In essence, I'm looking at the inverse of the initial question.  I have done that in the past - e-filed for the Feds and printed/mailed in my state return.  That was because I was getting money back from the feds and  paying the state.  This year it's the opposite.  I'm not seeing if I can do this.  And, if so, how.  Please let me know.

Level 15
May 10, 2020 8:20:54 PM

No.  You can only efile state if the federal was efiled.

 

You can file state before Federal but you have to mail state.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/e-file/help/can-i-e-file-my-state-return-before-my-federal/00/25545

Level 2
Jun 24, 2020 12:16:04 PM

If, after E-filing Federal, you go back to the start of File a Return, and select 'file by mail', it does in fact recall that you already e-filed, I assume I can just print and mail the state, not print the federal.

The real problem here is that, the whole point of using tax software is to be sure that you are not missing something. And, by using quasi- workarounds, like backtracking, you don't really know if its done all the right checking. For example, if you go back earlier in the interview forms, and change a number somewhere it might update everything correctly, or it might not - you probably need to go back through the rest of the interviews & checks to be sure. But, like with most software things, I am generally impressed when the less used features work correctly, considering the complexities that can be involved. They should consider adding an actual in-line step for printing the file-by-mail - there are sometimes good and valid reasons to not e-file.