filing mixed FED and state returns electronically through Turbotax

[DavidC7]

When filing a married jointed return and separate married separate returns, can they be filed with Turbotax electronically.  My understanding is that the Federal married joint return CAN be filed electronically, but each state married separate return needed to be printed and mailed.  Is this correct?

[AmyC]

That is a good solution but you might be able to efile your states. You want to e-file the correct federal return. State returns have these issues:

1. Some states require the mock federal return while others do not.
2. E-filing the state varies. Please read the rules here sine the majority of state returns can be filed without the federal.
3.  Most states require the other state return in order to give credit. If you are mailing, be sure to include any needed.

This means that you can efile your state returns that are state only or stand alone that do not require the mock federal. 

Another option is to efile the state returns you can and then: 

• either mail the mock federal and maybe the other state or
• wait for the state to ask for returns 

[SteamTrain]

@AmyC 

Yeah...but those are the rules for the Professional series forms.

I don't think we've ever (Historically) been able to e-file any standalone state forms, without e-filing the Fed in the same Consumer TurboTax account first...or at the same time.

[DavidC7]

I can e-file a married joint FED return?  Don't need to e-file separate state returns.  It's okay to mail for us.  Is the joint FED return required to be sent with each mailed married separate state return?  Just trying to keep it simple.

[SteamTrain]

You'd have to check the state's filing requirements.

Many times, a mailed in MFS state requires a paper copy of MFS-Fed, even if you filed MFJ for Federal..i.e. they want to see the MFS federal that lead to the MFS state.

Usually, when mail filing, and you create the mailing file copy of your state, it will also print a Federal copy too to include ...usually just the 1040 itself.....but I don't know whether some states require more than that.