Turbo Tax will not allow me to e file my NYS return. NYS says that it is Turbo Tax that is preventing this. Anyone understand what is in the way??

[ee-ea]

The reason that you're experiencing difficultly with e-filing a New York state tax return is almost certainly due to the fact that the TurboTax software won't allow that to happen, when the user has first selected (or was forced into) the paper file option for their federal tax return.  There is no way to "fix" this, or to change the software program to accommodate a New York state e-file. 

The underlying reasons for this, however, are that the New York Department of Taxation and Finance needs a taxpayer's Form 1040 (federal return) in order to process the state return.  Where there exists no e-file version of the TurboTax user's federal tax return, it is not possible for the software to create one just for a New York e-file effort.  Also, in an effort to combat tax return identity fraud (theft), in cooperation with the state revenue authorities, it is not possible in TurboTax to e-file just a state tax return alone, without an accompanying e-file federal tax return.

Thus, despite New York's mandate for e-filing, you are left with a couple of reasonable choices. 

Probably the easiest thing to do, however, is to simply ignore the New York e-file mandate (for the very good reason that you are unable to comply in TurboTax, having already paper filed a federal tax return), and print and mail your state return to New York, along with signed copies of Pages 1 and 2 of your Form 1040.  Here is a link to the valid, official, New York mailing addresses that you can use for this paper filing purpose:

https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/file/return_assembly_mail.htm

[raw2811]

  I genuinely appreciate the effort to solve my issue, but it was misunderstood. Turbo Tax WILL efile the federal return but not the NY return. And I still do not know why. No one can give me an answer. My NY return is no different than the one I filed for the past few years.

[CarissaM]

When you are attempting to e-file the NY State return, what is the error Turbo Tax is stating?

[raw2811]

E-File is not available because your tax return includes a tax situation that can't be e-filed. Make sure to mail your return by your state's due date.

Thank you for trying to help me. Above is what Turbo Tax indicated when it was time to file state return. I called them  (and got through) and the rep never gave me a real idea of what the problem might be. NYS tax bureau

says it is a Turbo Tax problem. Very frustrating. I've used TT for three years and never had this issue.

Rob

[CarissaM]

@DoninGA provides a great answer/advice here that will be helpful to your situation. 

[NYSLMT]

It's not a great answer and it's unhelpful. It solves nothing. Did you even read what you suggested we look at?

[Cass0317]

Please verify in the State Form Availability link below for NY, that all the forms are available for E-filing. There are some forms that are not available for e-filing for NY and have to be mailed in. It will say Unsupported under the e-file column if it is not available for e-filing.

NY Form Availability

@NYSLMT

[ac120374]

I am in the same situation. I called numerous times and spoke to different reps and no one was able to solve the problem. The list of not "e-filable" forms (the one in the link from one of the answerrs) that TurboTax lists for New York is incorrect and I assume this is causing the issue. Turbo Tax needs to update the list.

[LenaH]

You may be experiencing an issue if one of your W-2's has a 414(h) in Box 14. TurboTax content developers have identified this issue and found a solution that will allow you to e-file your New York State return. 

Please follow the steps below:

1. Open your return.
2. Search W-2 with the magnifying glass tool at the top of the page.
3. Click the Jump to W-2 link at the top of the search results.
4. Click Edit next to your W-2.
5. Scroll down to Box 14.
6. For the Box 14 entries with category New York IRC 414(h) NY tax exempt, enter the letters NOT directly after your existing description input. Please do not include a space
7. Click Continue
8. Click File on the left hand side.
9. Click Start next to Get ready to save and file your returns.
10. Click Change next to 2020 New York Return.
11. Select e-file and continue.

A full update will soon eliminate this error, but this was the provided instructions until that is complete. 

@ac120374

@raw2811

@NYSLMT

[NYSLMT]

This 100% solved my problem and I was successfully able to efile my New York return. THANK YOU!!

[ac120374]

Thank you so so much, your suggestion worked!

[miamianku]

Can I still make the changes even though I filed?

What are the steps then?

[Critter-3]

@miamianku 

If you already mailed in the NY return then do NOT try to also efile it ... this will delay the processing even longer. 

[DSid]

I also am unbale to e-file my NYS return, continue to receive the error, unable to find attachment at. I was on the phone with TT and they have no solution, well no solution that is acceptable. It seems, and they basically have zero clue, has to do with a credit receiving, which I have ONE. We in NYS that use TT, I have used TT for over 25 years, this is ridiculous

Dan