Option to e-file state after e-filing federal?

[aloyscius]

My partner and I are RDPs. We live in a communal property state (CA) so we file single for federal and then do a joint-married state return. We were both able to e-file our single federal returns this year, but we do not have the option to e-file our joint state return. Elsewhere on this forum, it sounds like it is possible to do the opposite (e-file jointly for federal and then one spouse can e-file as single for their state, so my assumption is that since both of our federal returns were accepted we should be able to e-file jointly for our state. Not sure if there is a lag and I need to wait or if it will never be an option.

[MaryK4]

The issue with the filing two single files for federal then a joint state return is the state e-filing requirements- TurboTax requires the transmission of the federal return before it will allow the state to be efiled.  (Some states require the transmission of the federal info so in your situation, since the federal joint return is not filed, it cannot be transmitted to California with the joint information.)   I am hopeful this can be resolved ti make filing easier for everyone.