I just purchased Turbo tax deluxe 2018 on amazon. It was supposed to include the state software. When I clicked on "state" I was prompted to pay for it. Any ideas?

Patience.  The state software is not yet available for 2018.  We have seen several users who purchased the software on Amazon who report the same message about paying.

Thank you ... FWIWx, I applaud your 2018 programmers who waded thru all that "Postcard ?@#!?". I understand lowering the taxes, but WHY did the Feds have to complicate the issue with all those "Postcards"?  Just lower all the percentages in the Tax Table ... done!  But, oh no, they had to make the simple complicated.

Thank Congress...it was their mandate to "simplify" the tax form.

I just wanted to thank the folk at Intuit who deserve mountains of thanks

All a Postcard is just a group of contiguous lines from the 2017 1040. "Simplify" does not equal "add one more layer of obfuscation".

Sadly if you really look at the new "post card/half page" form & the 6 new schedules you will see it looks like they  gave a third grader some scizors & paste and let them at it. There was absolutely no reason to adulterate a one size fits all form especially since fewer folks are mailing in paper forms anymore.

Watch for the availability on these charts when available ...

Availability chart for the 2018 PERSONAL programs:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1908854-forms-availability-table-for-turbotax-federal-products-except-business

Availability chart for the 2018  State programs for the Personal returns:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1908857-forms-availability-table-for-turbotax-state-except-business

And thanks for the understanding that this has been a trying event for all of us!

Someone said that all this mess will be eliminated after your bits & bytes, C++ programmers (just feed them pizzas) change the error code.

My question is I can provide a screenshot of my Amazon purchase (eFile + State), but how in the world can I tell just using TurboTax that Amazon shipped me the correct version of Deluxe?

There has been a question or 2 about what Amazon made available for download

yes, use a screen grab software or else in windows CTL-PRINT and upload the jpg from you clipboard in a new post below in this thread, comments do not allow attachments so use new post here in this thread;  best if you sanitize and redact all personal information first!!!!
else someone will steal your personal information.

The deluxe version comes in 2 options ... with & without the state program ... so review your order ... does it have STATE in the title ?  

“TurboTax Deluxe + State 2018 Fed EFile MAC Download [Amazon Exclusive]”

But how will the actual program know so it can correctly choose “Will be available about January”, versus “Will have to pay”

It will know.  The message you are seeing is just an error.  When the state is available to download it will go away.  Scroll way up to Gabi’s answer.  Gabi is the Moderator.

Another poster posted a screenshot.  https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4509145-illinois-state-tax

Ok ... that notice is badly written ... when you have installed the federal program and you get to the state section the option to download the state programming will be presented and you should not have to pay for it if you bought the Deluxe version WITH the state ( they do sell it both ways) ... you do NOT get it thru Amazon's site.

An exact date is not available yet and most state programs will not be fully operational until sometime in January or February.  Watch for the availability dates her when functional : 

Availability chart for the 2018 PERSONAL programs: 
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1908854-forms-availability-table-for-turbotax-federal-products-except-business

Availability chart for the 2018 State programs for the Personal returns: 
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1908857-forms-availability-table-for-turbotax-state-except-business

Can you provide a screenshot of the pay screen and a link to the product you purchased? 
This will help us create a case for the product team. 

Thank you. 

UPDATE: jolove, I have more information. It looks like Amazon incorrectly mapped the SKUs on the backend and delivered the incorrect product to customers. I currently don't know the next steps but it will most likely come from Amazon. 

What the Hell do I do know. I have done about 5 hours of work on this year’s Return. Tell me precisely what must be done so I don’t have to start over. Amazon blames you and you blame them ... and I have been shafted

Just be patient and wait.  Your data is ok and will still be there.  Be sure to save it,  Go to FILE - SAVE.  Your return is kept in a separate data file ending in .tax2018.  Once you get the right program and state installed you can open it again.  

But who is responsible? Amazon blamed Intuit and you blame them

But who is responsible? Amazon blamed Intuit and you blame them

Gabi, I have passed your name onto Intuit Corporate

Patience is a virtue and the issue will resolve itself ... the state programs cannot even be downloaded for 2 months so you have time to wait.   

Have you seen that Metro PC commercial when the wildebeests are crossing the river and getting attacked by the gators ?  But the 2 on the bank thought about the choices and are going to use the bridge and avoid the danger.   So the lesson is the first ones in the water get bitten and the ones who wait a minute patiently get results.  Never be the first one to do anything with electronics ... let others work out the bugs.

Except, one of you blamed Amazon and Amazon in turn blamed you. Well, anyway I solved the problem by talking on a real phone with someone in the Executive Offices of Intuit. He will solve the problem. Enjoy

Life is good ... Amazon wrote "I will also file a ticket so that either the missing component is added to the product online or it is taken down"