How can I e-file my NY tax return after mailing my Federal tax return?

TurboTax does not allow you to e-file your state return if you file your federal return by mail. You are required to e-file your NY return IF "your software supports the electronic filing of your return." TurboTax does not support electronic filing of your NY return if you file your federal return by mail. Therefore you are not required to e-file you NY return. File it by mail.

This seems inaccurate. The form states "NY State law requries income tax returns prepared using software to be e-filed. Becuase this NY State return was prepared using software, you MUST file it electronically." It doesn't state "If Turbotax is behind its game, just go ahead and mail it in."

Right? The form says it's illegal. It doesn't even list the address to send the form to.

<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/efile/efile_mandate_for_individuals.htm">https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/efile/efile_mandate_for_individuals.htm</a>

I don't see the statement that you quoted on Form IT-201 in TurboTax. Where exactly do you see it?

Ok, it doesn't use the word illegal, but the form states:

New York State requires this income tax return to be filed electronically.
New York State law requires income tax returns prepared using software to be e-filed. Because this New York State tax return was prepared using software, you MUST e-file it electronically.

"the form states . . ."
What form says that? What year is the form for? Where on the form does it say that? Where did you get the form that says that? Form IT-201 in TurboTax for 2017 does not say that.

I printed all of the final paperwork from TurboTax to follow the steps for this years return. It states it on the directions page before my actual form. That’s where I copy and pasted those lines from.

sooo did anyone try mailing them in? I'm having the same issue.

I called the state of ny tax division and she was incredibly friendly. She said you can just mail it in. The state piggy-backs the federal, so if one is mailed in, the other has to be too.

@laurackerman thank you so much!

@laurackerman  Thank you - very helpful!

Yes, I also spoke to them today. You can mail. Note the key language in e-filing must meet three requirements in order for the state to require it. Oxymoron. Hence the following on their website. TurboTax does not support e-filing on previous years and since e-filing must ocurr at the federal level on TurboTax for all subsequent states to do so they wrote as such.

You're required to electronically file your return if you meet all three of the following conditions:

you use software to prepare your own personal income tax return;
your software supports the electronic filing of your return; and
you have broadband Internet access.

It seems ridiculous to me I am learning this very important information on a user forum, and it's not easier to contact folks at Turbo Tax to get an answer to this.  This will delay receipt of my refund.  Am I being unreasonable?

It's the most absurd thing I've encountered in 25 years of filing taxes.

THANK YOU ALL!  I've been clicking in circles for the past thirty minutes trying to figure out how the heck to file my state (I HAVE to file my federal by mail, but turbo tax doesn't make it clear AT ALL that bc I am filing that by mail that I can't e-file my state taxes????).  

thanks

https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/efile/efile_mandate_for_individuals.htm

Here's the official NYS Dept of Taxation and Finance states that; while using TurboTax we MUST e-file NYS tax, and the eligibility to NOT e-file does not meet.

Who must e-file

You're required to electronically file your return if you meet all three of the following conditions:

• you use software to prepare your own personal income tax return; and
• your software supports the electronic filing of your return; and
• you have broadband Internet access.

What you need to know about the e-file mandate

• The cost of tax preparation software always includes the e-filing service; New York State law prohibits additional charges.
• You are not required to electronically file if you:
   
  • download forms from our website,
  • pick up forms at your local library, or
  • order forms from us by phone.

You can only efile state if you first efile federal and it was accepted.  If your federal rejects or you mailed federal then the software doesn't support efiling state.  So it meets the requirement.