Can I paper file through turbo tax?

[ChrisJ · Accepted solution]

You can file your return electronically or by mail. If you select File by Mail, you'd send off your return after printing off what you've prepared with TurboTax.

If you E-file, you'd simply transmit your return using a secure, encrypted connection and skip the paper (few exceptions apply).

To change your filing method:

1. Go to File (upper right)
2. (Complete Steps 1 and 2) Start Step 3
3. Select File by mail to open the Change filing methods window. Choose from E-file, File by mail, or I'm not ready to file for federal and all of your states.
   
   E-file: Continue to Transmit (my) Returns Now. When you see Transmission Successful, you're done! 
   File By Mail: Print off your finalized return - mail it to the address provided on your Filing Instructions 

[newyorker]

I said I wasn't ready to file my New York State taxes yet so it went to mail, and now iI want to change it to e-file, but I can't get into the system to do that.

[mesquitebean]

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@ newyorker wrote:

I said I wasn't ready to file my New York State taxes yet so it went to mail, and now iI want to change it to e-file, but I can't get into the system to do that.

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Does TurboTax think you were going to file by printing and mailing, so your return is closed, but you haven't actually mailed anything?  And are you asking how to change filing methods for your unfiled return?

If you haven't actually filed at all, you can open the return back up and change the filing method.

• Log into your account, and at the Tax Home or in the section "Your Tax Returns & Documents" for 2019, look for a link "Add a State."
• Click on "Add a State."  (That doesn't really add one; that's just to open the return.)
• Once the return is open, go through the REVIEW section to be sure everything is still in order.
• Then go to the FILE section and change the filing method to efile.
• Then continue on answering all the remaining screens and at the final step click a big orange button "Transmit Returns Now."

Or is your problem something else?  See the ADDENDUM in my next comment which follows this one.

[mesquitebean]

@ newyorker 

ADDENDUM:

In addition to the info I left you above, you didn't mention anything about the Federal return.  Has it been filed already, and was it efiled or printed, signed, dated, and mailed?

If you mailed the Federal return, then you cannot efile the state return.  It would also have to be printed, signed, dated, and mailed.

If you have efiled the Federal return first separately, has it been accepted?  You cannot efile a state return separately until the efiled Federal return has been accepted.

If you haven't yet filed the Federal return at all, you can efile both the Federal and state returns at the same time.

[lisagalinis]

Can I do a paper file through turbo tax

[xmasbaby0]

@lisagalinis If you want to file by mail instead of e-filing, you can do that.  The fees are the same for using TurboTax whether you e-file or mail it in an envelope.  And just so you know----mailed returns take much longer to be processed.

[VolvoGirl]

How to mail a return from the Online version

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/printing/help/how-do-i-print-and-mail-my-return-in-turbotax-online...

Be sure to attach copies of your W2s and any 1099s that have withholding on them.  You have to mail federal and state in separate envelopes because they go to different places.  Get a tracking number from the post office when you mail them for proof of filing.

Where to mail federal paper returns

https://www.irs.gov/uac/where-to-file-paper-tax-returns-with-or-without-a-payment

[lisagalinis]

Need to change to paper file taxes

[user17525941998]

After printing the prepared forms through TurboTax, do they have to be signed and dated before mailing?

[VolvoGirl]

Yes.  If you don’t efile your tax return but print and mail them you have to sign both the federal 1040 and any state returns.   

[xmasbaby0]

When you file by mail, you need to sign and date your return in ink. If you forget to sign, the IRS will mail it back to you with a request for your signature.  If you are filing a joint return, the form must be signed by each spouse. And you need to include any W-2's or 1099's that show tax withheld.   TurboTax does not mail your return for you.  You have to do that yourself.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/printing/help/how-do-i-print-and-mail-my-return-in-turbotax-online...

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.