I was unable to e-file my NY State return because I couldn't e-file my federal return due to an extra form. But NY legally requires that I e-file. How do I proceed?

I'm currently studying abroad, so the extra form on my federal return dealt with the inclusion of a foreign address. TurboTax wouldn't let me e-file my state return without also e-filing my federal return, but also made it clear that that wasn't possible. I chose to print and mail both of them, only to discover in the PDF that NY State legally requires that I file electronically. I'm not sure how to proceed, especially considering that I'm abroad at the moment and cannot provide a phone number for TurboTax to contact me (they only allow US numbers to be entered).

479

Level 7

Jun 4, 2019 5:39:20 PM

There is an exception to the e-file requirement that you are seeing.

The New York e-file mandate only applies when the three conditions below are met.

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

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

So, if for some reason you have a situation with your TurboTax return that causes you to need to mail your return (i.e your foreign address), then that means the software does not support the electronic filing of your return and you are not subject to the e-file mandate. You can mail your return without it being rejected or penalties. Also, NY removed any taxpayer penalties for not e-filing several years ago.

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I was unable to e-file my NY State return because I couldn't e-file my federal return due to an extra form. But NY legally requires that I e-file. How do I proceed?