I have Turbo Tax Home and Business with one free state. I use this for family members. How many Federal and how many state returns can be completed?

[timboardman]

I only need Federal, and the state of PA - need to know how many of each I can complete with the product I purchased.

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

You can do unlimited federal and state returns.  You can efile 5 Federal for free.  The rest you have to print and mail .

For state.  You get 1 free state program download which can prepare unlimited state returns (all for the same state).  But each state return is currently 24.99 to efile.  Or you can print and mail state for free.

Be sure to save each return with a name you can tell apart from the others.  Save Frequently!  Go to File-Save or Save As.  To start a new return go to File-New Tax Return.

[Eukaryote86]

5 free federal e-filings, and 5 free state filings (ONLY if you print out your state return and mail it off). If ANY user wants to e-file a state return, it is $24.99 (regardless of if you're the first user).

The claims on the packaging are definitely confusing, even misleading. For the longest time, I and others thought you got one free state filing. Really it is one free state DOWNLOAD. Meaning if you download software for California state, your remaining 4 users also can download California state software for free. If you have to file in another state, then it's $44.99 for each additional state. Your one free state software download can be done on different devices, including tablets. Hope that helps! I made sure with a TurboTax customer service representative. 

TurboTax can definitely be more clear about their services. All these commercials saying they're free free free hooks people at first. I felt duped wasting my time only to be told at the end I'd need to pay $60 for TurboTax Deluxe plus another $50 for state. I ended up deciding to buy Home and Business and split it with four other people. Much much cheaper. 

[ladydiannems4]

I HAVE CASUALITY LOSSES FROM HURRICANE LAURA AND DELTA. WHEN WILL IRS FINISHED COMPLETION OF THEIR FORM TO BE FILED

[ladydiannems4]

I will be mailing state returns. Do I still have only one state I can do free. I have Louisiana and Missouri

[VolvoGirl]

If you have the Desktop CD/Download program Deluxe or higher you can download 1 state program for free.  You would have to buy a second different state program for $50.  Each state program can do unlimited returns in that state.

[DMarkM1]

It appears the Form 4684 is projected to be available for e-file by 3/4/2021.  Here is a link to monitor for form updates.

[srpatel55]

When you say you can download state, how does that work?  I get only 1 Turbotax Deluxe or Home+Business file and installed.  Then it lets me do multiple federal eg for myself and daughter.  Then the sw continues to do the States for each.  There is no separate State download either one of us.  We both do CA state.

[MarilynG1]

In TurboTax Desktop, if you wanted to add an Additional State, on the State Taxes screen, down at the bottom of the page, choose Get Another State.

You'll choose the state, and another window opens for Payment Info, then the new state is installed and ready to go. 

@srpatel55 

[srpatel55]

Thank you Marilyn.  I want to clarify between "Another State" and a "Different State".  I should not have to download "Another State" if I am doing a second return for my daughter in the "same CA state" that I am in and I do my own CA state return (just like the Federal).  Perhaps you meant a "Different State", then it makes sense to me and we need to pay for it.  But, for the same state (for second return) I should not have to pay for it, right?

[VolvoGirl]

@srpatel55    Right.  You got the first state (Calif) PROGRAM for free.  It can do all your California returns.  But if you need to file in a different state like Oregon you have to buy the Oregon program download.  

[srpatel55]

Thank you much. I  understand your reply for a different state you need to pay. You stated "you can do all your California returns", so, my question for clarity is, can I do second state CA return (after I do my first state CA return) also free without paying just like we get multiple (5) federal returns?  Appreciate your reply.

[VolvoGirl]

No.  In fact you need to pay $20 or 25  for each state efile including the first one.  You only get a free state program download.   Or you can print and mail state returns for free.  

[srpatel55]

Thank you very much VolvoGirl.  That is exactly what I was looking for.