You can only e-file up to three different states for each federal return you prepare with the TurboTax CD/Download software. If using the software, any additional states must be paper-filed. With TurboTax Online, you may e-file up to five different states per federal return. Please see the FAQs below for more information.
Forgive me, but for lack of better words, this is really dumb. Why would online have more capabilities than the software itself? Either way you make money off people buying the states to file; what's the difference? Why put a limitation on the amount of states someone can file with the software? This
Forgive me, but for lack of better words, this is really dumb. Why would online have more capabilities than the software itself? Either way you make money off people buying the states to file; what's the difference? Why put a limitation on the amount of states someone can file with the software? This is a yearly inconvenience for some people.
Also, it's really disingenuous to charge $45 per state and allow someone to purchase, say, 5 states for filing within the software, without letting them know that the limit per return for filing is 3 states. On top of that, you only tell people when they're ready to file that to actually file each state return besides the home state is an additional $25. Why not just tell people it's $70 per additional state up front and let them realize they're being overcharged right away??
I understand that you're cornering the market on self-prepared taxes, and as a whole, the tax software is supposed to be this great tool that aims to save people money, but it leaves a bad taste in one's mouth when coupled with SHIESTY business practices. I truly question my loyalty to Intuit. You could save your customer service department many angry phone calls if you ameliorated these issues.
Totally agree here but clearly there are very few of us that need to file more than 3. states so we get screwed. Core Turbotax is very good but unfortunately, customer"first" is not very important to the firm. Too bad!
To echo the other replies, it's pretty strange that the CD/Download limit is lower, but why add a limit at all when you're charged per-state? I'm puzzled about statements like:
If you need to prepare returns in six or more states, consider the TurboTax CD/Download software instead. Although the software only lets you e-file up to three states per federal return, you can prepare and paper-file as many states as you want.
However, it seems like you cannot actually enter more than 3 states (see screenshot), so I'm not sure how the software is supposed to help prepare with more than 3 states:
I would expect this screen to allow any number of states and later restrict only 3 for e-filing but instead you cannot input more than 3?
TurboTax is meant for an individual to file taxes for themselves and their family. Most families do not live in more than five states. Most only need to file one state. What happens is the people try to use it as professional tax perparers and start charging others to do their taxes, then using TurboTax to generate and e-file the returns.
To discourage that, the IRS limits the number of e-files an individual can send to five. With online TurboTax, it does not matter, because you can only use an account for one person. With desktop, it there were no limits on number of states downloadable and on number of e-files allowed, then a person could use it to prepare thousands of returns. They would not be able to be responsible for everything that they were filing.
With professional software you can have ll the states and unlimited e-filing, but the IRS is assuming you know what you are doing and able to take responsibility for preparing many returns.
New York requires e-filing. I am a non-resident of NY and have already used my 3 state e-files. what now?? This is really stupid.
The New York requirement for e-filing is waived when the software is not capable of e-filing. If you have already e-filed three states, you will be able to mail in New York. If you have not yet e-filed three states, then you may select one of the other states to be mailed in so that you may e-file New York instead.
Many of us do work and are taxed in more than 5 states in a year.
Also, Turbo Tax software only limits the individual to 3 state e-files. When filing for other family members it allowed me to e file in other states that were different from the 3 states I personally e-filed in, therefore it does not stop someone from misusing Turbo Tax as you described. So in my case it costs Intuit revenue and makes me have to go to the post office like an "animal." :(
🙂
Yes, and then when you try to purchase extra states, there are no end to the problems you will get when you try to download the additional states/forms. Then three different customer service people later, no solution and you end up preparing using free forms from the state's website. All this after being charged the fee for both the additional forms and for efiling.
@ frethomas
wrote:Yes, and then when you try to purchase extra states, there are no end to the problems you will get when you try to download the additional states/forms. Then three different customer service people later, no solution and you end up preparing using free forms from the state's website. All this after being charged the fee for both the additional forms and for efiling.
Sorry you had trouble. Since you said you had problems when you "download additional state forms", I assume you are using desktop software (CD/download).
"charged the fee for both the additional forms and for efiling."
You may be able to get a refund for at least your state issues. This is a user community forum, but we can tell you how you can ask for a refund for any purchases that are still under the 60-day satisfaction guarantee. Here's a link to the online refund request form:
Or you can phone TurboTax Support to ask for any refund. If so, tell them you want to invoke the unconditional 60-day satisfaction guarantee.
FAQ: TurboTax Satisfaction Guaranteed refund policy
File your federal return and pick 3 states. Once you submit file the federal return again and pick 3 different states ( or 1or 2 whatever you need). The Fed return will reject as it has already been filed but the 3 new states will file. At least that's what happened with me. I'm not sure why Turbotax has this blocker - if they said pay more I think most/all of us will.
So you were able to efile more than 3 states from the Desktop program? Really?
In the Desktop program you can only efile up to 3 states for each federal return. Some people need to file in more than one state. The rest you will have to print and mail. See
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901306-how-many-returns-can-i-e-file-in-the-turbotax-software
In the Online version you can efile 5 states for 1 federal
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1946014-how-many-times-can-i-e-file-using-turbotax-online
i need to e file at least 500 federal and state taxes, what program do i need
Huh? 500? You need a professional program. Turbo Tax is for self prepared returns. Intuit has 2 products for tax preparers. They are Lacerte and ProSeries. ProSeries is the least expensive. You can install ProSeries and Turbo Tax on the same computer.
Intuit Products for Tax Professionals,
And to prepare more than five e-files, you will need to sign up with the IRS as an ERO - an Electronic Returns Originator. How to become an Authorized E-file Provider…..
Do you need a PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number)?
http://www.irs.gov/Tax-Professionals/Frequently-Asked-Questions:-Do-I-Need-a-PTIN%3F
it seems like you're preparing returns for compensation. you can not use Turbotax in this case.
Yes, most people only file in one state, but many may have real estate holdings in multiple states that generate income requiring multiple state returns, especially people in military who have lived and bought property in multiple states. My son's friend, age 27, now has rentals in two states, and if his wife gets assigned to another state, they will buy property there. My youngest, just entering the army as an officer, is already planning on buying wherever he is stationed, easily could be more than 3 taxable states.
I have income property in 3 states besides NY, but fortunately one is TX, so no tax there.
Professional athletes, like baseball players, basketball, etc., get taxed in many of the states they play in for the income earned while playing there. How many states could that be??