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Level 2
posted Aug 31, 2019 5:40:17 PM

State forms will not download

Does anyone have any tricks to make this work, without me having to call customer support?  (which I cannot do given weekend and holiday).

 

2018 Turbo Tax Deluxe for Windows

I reinstalled on a new computer.  

The "Let's Download Your Free State" does not work.   It recognizes that I previously downloaded NY, when I check the box and click "Download Now" , I just loop back to the "Let's take care of your state taxes" page.

 

It seems very similar to the issue Mac users were having last month, so I tried all those fixes - no luck.  Could not find a download of the NY forms hiding anywhere in the TurboTax install directory.

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1 Best answer
Level 2
Sep 6, 2019 11:03:27 AM

So to close this one out, the only remedy was to wait a week until I could call within the customer service hours, spend an hour on the phone with a rep, and finally get them to give me a download code for the free state.

22 Replies
Level 15
Aug 31, 2019 5:46:38 PM

Find your TurboTax for Windows software download

We recommend downloading your TurboTax for Windows software to your Desktop or Downloads folder so you can find it easily.

You can also search your system for the file:

  • TurboTax Basic through Business: Search for w_turbotax
  • TurboTax State: Search for w_state(replace state with the actual state name, e.g. w_ohiow_new_york, etc.)

Still can't find it? Then 

download it again 

and save it to where you know you can find it – your desktop is a good place.

Related Information:

Level 2
Aug 31, 2019 9:19:01 PM

Thanks for the reply, but that guidance does not help. 

1) I have the TurboTax Deluxe download and it is installed. 

2) I also have access to a second state that I purchased. 

3) What I cannot get is NY, which was my first state, the free state, when I first used the software.  

 

I'd even pay to get the **bleep** thing, but I'm in this catch-22 where TurboTax knows that NY and PA are both paid for in my account, but when I click 'Download' on the pop-up window it does nothing.  I can't even buy NY, because it thinks I already have it.

 

Level 2
Sep 6, 2019 11:03:27 AM

So to close this one out, the only remedy was to wait a week until I could call within the customer service hours, spend an hour on the phone with a rep, and finally get them to give me a download code for the free state.

New Member
Jan 22, 2020 11:16:39 AM

I have called in to support and spent well over an hour on trying to fix the issue - even the download codes for a state install did not function.  Then I was disconnected - never called me back - and when I called in, service hours were listed as over.   TWICE this has happened and still NO state download that I have already paid for. 

Guessing I will have to call in again today --- hours on phone --- hope for a solution this third time but 

I am seriously considering switching to H and R block software today. 

Level 15
Jan 27, 2020 9:10:19 AM

I reached out to you in a private message! 
Thank you for your response. 

New Member
Jan 30, 2020 3:48:38 PM

Any luck downloading your state?  I have uninstalled, reinstalled....  I don't have hours to call them because I work hours they work.

 

Level 5
Jan 30, 2020 7:51:52 PM

You can try the steps in this FAQ article to help with downloading the state return.

New Member
Feb 3, 2020 11:34:32 AM

I am having the same difficulties. This issue also plagued me with the 2018 returns. I spent hours upon hours with specialists. 

 

Multiple state returns requried to be filed, preparation of free state works fine. I just purchased 2 additional states. When DOWNLOAD is selected, nothing happens. We end up at the YOUR STATE RETURNS page with START next to the states I've already purchased.

 

When START is selected, I get brought through the whole purchase a new state process again. I have the abillity to "CHECK THE BOX NEXT TO EACH STATE TO ADD IT TO YOUR RETURN.  YOU WONT BE CHARGED FOR THIS."

 

Select DOWNLOAD NOW and then the same loop happens all over again. Back at YOUR STATE RETURNS with START next to these states I have already paid for, but have NOT downloaded.

Expert Alumni
Feb 3, 2020 1:14:54 PM

If the state is not populating, start by

  • Clearing your cache and cookies (the link describes the specific steps for different browsers)
    • Sign out of TurboTax
    • In general, hold down Ctrl+Shift+Del. Under the Basic tab, clear data for at least 24 hours, but preferably 7 days
    • Close your browser window
    • Re-open TurboTax, preferably in Chrome

Then, I recommend either re-downloading the State,** OR doing a manual update.

**for Windowsfor Mac

 

Please check that your device meets system requirements. If it does not, the CD can download on up to 5 devices, so I recommend trying on another device.

 

A link about Installing CD/Download

 

 

New Member
Apr 11, 2020 1:12:56 PM

can't believe no customer service on weekends and holidays! Don't they know that's when people are working on this? Bad customer experience

New Member
Dec 25, 2020 2:54:21 AM

Apparently this problem has still not been solved for TurboTax 2020

I am unable to download state tax forms

 

And like the others on this post, I too do not want to spend countless hours with customer support

 

Please send me, and all your users, a real solution to this problem.

Level 15
Dec 25, 2020 11:40:37 AM

You should wait until January to go for the state program.

And make sure you name your resident state as your free download selection.

Level 15
Dec 25, 2020 12:21:57 PM

the real solution is for Congress not to change the tax laws and forms because the changes not only affect the federal forms but also many state returns that use the data from federal forms. some federal forms won't be ready until mid-February.  just this year instead of form 1099-misc for independent contractors there's a new form 1099-NEC.  write your Congress people. 

Level 15
Dec 25, 2020 1:11:49 PM

I had the same problem..... 

 

but as soon as my state was available (Dec 23), the problem cleared up...or the update that occurred Wednesday night / Thursday morning solved it. 

 

 

Level 15
Dec 25, 2020 6:14:51 PM

Although TurboTax may  allow you to e-filed some returns as early as 1/7/21 (IF the forms in your return are ready for filing … see info below)   they are NOT actually sent to the IRS.  TurboTax stores those early filed returns in a holding “POOL”   until the IRS opens for business and “drains the pool”  for processing ...   only then will you get an e-mail telling you if the return was accepted or rejected by the IRS.  

Only the simplest returns can be transmitted to TurboTax early.    Some forms will not be finalized until Jan 25 and some later than that.

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

Why does TurboTax allow early filing?  Because their competitors do - It is a marketing ploy to capture market share.

Filing early with TurboTax before the IRS opens  is a really BAD IDEA for many reasons...

1) If you discover something that is wrong on your return, receive a W-2 that is different, receive some other tax document that was not on the return that you filed then there is NOTHING that you can do about it other than wait to see if the IRS accepts or rejects the return after they open.  If rejected you can correct and file again, but if accepted then the only remedy is to amend which can take 4 months to process.

2) You must remember to check back after the IRS opens (or check for an e-mail) to confirm that the IRS has accepted or rejected the return.  If rejected, then it was never filed at all and must be corrected and re-filed.  Every year many taxpayers that file early, forget to check back and only discover months later that they never actually filed because if was rejected by the IRS but they had forgotten about checking back after filing with TurboTax.

3) While the IRS does conduct some pre-opening tests and does accept some returns early (ONLY for TESTING purposes), they will not actually  process those until after the official opening date.  There is a reason to test and that is to discover any problems with it's systems.  A couple of years ago a test went bad and several thousand "test" returns were lost.   The IRS was able to recover those but it delayed refunds for some by months.

There is no real advantage to file before the IRS opens  but there are several disadvantages to do so.

When will my forms be ready?

Historically, IRS tax forms start becoming available in January, with a few stragglers (most notably Form 1040X) getting finalized in February.

State tax forms can become available for filing any time between December and late February, depending on the state and the tax form.

For specific forms and dates, refer to the Forms Availability Table for your TurboTax product, see the related information below.

                            

Can I Still Work On My Return Before My Forms are Ready?

Yes, according to the following:

Federal Taxes
You can still work on your return and finish most of it. Once your forms become available, we’ll create the forms and include all of your info.

You’ll only be able to e-file or print your return once the forms are available.

While you’re working on your return, we’ll ask if you want to receive email updates when your forms become available.

State Taxes 
If your forms aren’t available, you’ll get a message asking you to return once they become available.

While you’re working on your return, you’ll have a chance to let us know you want to receive email updates when your forms become available.

Related Information:

           IRS Forms Availability Table for TurboTax Individual (Personal) Tax Products

·         State Forms Availability Table for TurboTax Individual (Personal) Tax Products

·         IRS Forms Availability Table for TurboTax Business

·         State Forms Availability Table for TurboTax Business

·         What does "Tax Form Under Construction" mean?

 

Click on the REVIEW tab and the program will tell you what in your return is still NOT ready and the estimated date it will be (subject to change of course ) ... you can put in for an email alert when they are ready ....

New Member
Dec 26, 2020 3:06:30 AM

Thank you, this was much more helpful than "write your congressman".

What would also be helpful, would be:

1) if the form is not available, the software would indicate same.

1a) I don't believe that is the case for the state tax form.

2) fix your software.  this is the same bug you had last year.

Level 15
Dec 26, 2020 3:09:50 AM

While you’re working on your return, you’ll have a chance to let us know you want to receive email updates when your forms become available.

New Member
Mar 1, 2021 9:16:44 PM

I have TT Deluxe CD installed on MAC.

Maryland state will not download.

Just goes to download page and stays blank.

Intuit Alumni
Mar 2, 2021 9:43:36 AM

Please try the following troubleshooting ideas for this issue.

State install/e-file update loop: State not install...

 

Level 3
Feb 24, 2023 1:53:12 PM

To do my current 2022 return, I needed to first update my previous returns and carry the data forward. The IRS required me to amend my 2019 return.  To do so, I needed my 2018 data file corrected, so I had to re-import my 2018 TurboTax .tax file.  So I installed my 2018 TurboTax Premier on my computer and downloaded updates but the program refused to download my Massachusetts tax forms. Without those, the program would not even let me work on any part of the 2018 return nor save it... the program would get stuck.  I spent almost 2 hours with a friendly Intuit representative on the phone, but we were unable to simply download the state forms I had previously paid for.  If you have to reinstall a previous years version, Intuit will not help you reinstall the program you bought if it is older than 3 years even though you simply want to download the forms you paid for.  Since I've been a TurboTax customer for 25+ years, I am utterly fed up with this lack of support.  All they have to do is provide the same state forms they previously provided that I paid for. It is not even possible to download and save those locally so you can reinstall and use TurboTax.  I'm fed up with Intuit and TurboTax and will be switching to another tax software. Anyone have any help?

Intuit Alumni
Feb 25, 2023 9:59:43 AM

Turbo Tax is only able to support tax returns up to 3 years prior. Since the return, you need to handle is outside of this time frame, it would be best to contact an accountant in order to assist in completing this. @mikameeko2023 

New Member
Mar 20, 2023 3:30:58 PM

Absolute **bleep**show.  I have spent 4-1/2 hours on support to download a state in TurboTax Business.  They will not provide a direct download link.  Every tech (4 now) is starting from scratch, no continuity of notes or steps performed on previous calls.  I have used TurboTax for years, but this is probably the last.