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New Member
posted Jun 3, 2019 10:54:40 AM

Update and state download not working. Update progress window just stays frozen. Is there another way to get state (using deluxe/with state product online)

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24 Replies
New Member
Jun 3, 2019 10:54:41 AM

Please try to update TurboTax manually by following the instructions given in the following FAQ. 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3301973

Hope this helps. 

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 10:54:42 AM

What about Mac users?

Level 2
Jan 1, 2020 3:59:17 AM

This solution did not work.

Level 2
Jan 27, 2020 12:45:09 PM

This didn't work for me also.  My state tax is supposed to be downloaded, but I cannot access it.

Expert Alumni
Jan 28, 2020 12:24:51 PM

@jlawson417 I recommend you open the program in Chrome. If you are already using Chrome, please try checking if your device meets system requirements and clearing cache and cookies. This should get you past the freeze.

 

@waltzb see this Troubleshoot for Mac update article

 

For your state issue, try reinstalling/downloading the state. @DavidD66 suggests:

For TurboTax Desktop for Mac version to remove the state:

  • In the very upper menu next to the apple and TurboTax...FILE
  • Remove * State Data
  • Are you sure you want to remove it? Remove

For TurboTax Desktop for Windows version to remove the state:

  • In the black ribbon, click File>Remove State Return>highlight the state, click Remove
  • Are you sure you want to proceed? Yes

 

Level 2
Jan 29, 2020 4:13:49 AM

There is no state tax form listed in the remove option.  My program tells me I am up to date when I import the state.

Intuit Alumni
Jan 29, 2020 8:07:44 AM

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

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/installing/help/how-do-i-download-the-software-i-purchased-at-turbotax-com/00/26075

Level 1
Jan 31, 2020 4:25:58 PM

Same.  I'm super frustrated.

Level 2
Jan 31, 2020 8:45:08 PM

I have the same issue with Turbotax Deluxe 2019. I try to download the state and I get an Updater window saying "Getting Your State". Then I get another window saying "Your software is up to date".

However, the state is not downloaded and not available to me. Super frustrating ...

Level 1
Jan 31, 2020 9:39:02 PM

I was spending a few hours trying to figure out why the state would not work. I got it to work on a laptop but my desktop kept freezing. Forget trying to wait on hold for 1-2hrs. This fix was so easy! The repair and uninstall or deleting registry keys is a total waste of time. 

 

Use the method below to save yourself from your headaches

 

Finally figured out how to fix the state not wanting to download and it keeps refreshing to download the state.

 

First of all if you have an older version of Turbotax like 2018 go copy the folder named cai_18 in the forms folder 

ex:

C:\Program Files (x86)\TurboTax\Deluxe 2018\Forms\cai_18

ex:

C:\Program Files (x86)\TurboTax\Deluxe 2019\Forms\cai_19

 

If you don't have this folder you can make a new folder with that name and copy it over

I highly recommend if you can find an older TurboTax software from 2018 copy that folder into the 2019 forms

 

1) Start up your Turbotax 2019. Once you copy over the cai_19 folder into the forms folder, you will notice the state installation wanting to begin. Let it update.

2) It will install the California state or whatever state you are in successfully. You'll notice the program close and restart.

2) Let it install and you'll notice when you go back to update it actually installs the state correctly

3) Go back and click on your state refund (show me) and now when you click it the number will give you a actual $$ amount versus having to download the state box in a endless loop.

 

Problems should be solved. Your welcome.

Level 2
Feb 1, 2020 4:49:20 AM

Same/similar issue... using Turbotax 2019 Deluxe DL from Amazon.  Went through Federal, downloaded my State and it's there with a Start button but when I click on it, it gives me the whole "Let's download a State" all over again.  Goes in circles.  

 

I've tried uninstalling/reinstalling the app with no luck.  

Level 2
Feb 1, 2020 8:30:01 AM

Hi, thanks for try to help.

I copied the cai_18 folder to the "C:\Program Files (x86)\TurboTax\Deluxe 2019\Forms\" folder as suggested. I started the Turbotax and it did not help to download the CA state.
Then I renamed the cai_18 folder to cai_19 and tried to start Turbotax again - also did not work :(

 

Any other ideas?

Level 2
Feb 1, 2020 8:00:59 PM

Resolved:
I called Turbotax Customer Support [phone number removed]) and explained the situation. They sent me a link for my state download - I downloaded my state and installed it. Works OK.

Level 1
Feb 2, 2020 2:54:01 PM

I'm having the same problem.   Can you provide the download link??

Level 1
Feb 2, 2020 3:55:24 PM

Just a follow up.  If you are using Chrome, you need to go clear all of your browsing/cookies/caches and then restart your computer and then start turbotax again.  I was able to download and install my free CA state this way.

Level 2
Feb 2, 2020 8:23:53 PM

The link I received was a link to my Intuit account (download section) where I found a download button for the Windows 10 version of my state. I guess this would not work for anyone. Suggest to call them, let them know your OS version and the state you need to download.

Level 2
Feb 3, 2020 5:39:05 AM

I spent a little over two hours on the phone with a rep and never got it fixed.  They even remoted into the laptop I was having the issue on.  We uninstalled/reinstalled/rebooted and even got the direct state download from the intuit site... none of it worked.  Things were going no where as we were running in circles.

 

I gave up and tried to install it on my laptop and it worked... so my wife will have to use that since something about her laptops environment is not allowing the State portion of Turbotax 2019 is problematic for some reason.  

 

She does have Turbotax 2018 installed on her laptop... I should uninstall it and see how that impacts the State working.  

Level 2
Feb 3, 2020 6:57:39 PM

I had the same problem on my Windows 10 computer. Every time I clicked START for my KY state return it popped up a dialog box to download it but I could never get into it - a vicious loop...

 

I spent quite a while talking to support. They told me to get another state and gave me a download that would not cost me extra. Tried that twice. Then tried uninstall and reinstall - no joy.  They said others were having the same issue and she would escalate the problem to the next level of support and I would get a call. That was Jan 31 - haven't heard back yet.

 

I uninstalled it and found many,  many registry entries that were not removed and several folders/files also left over. That is a lousy way to uninstall a program - it should remove all that junk!

 

Over the weekend I remembered that I had installed it on my old Windows 7 computer.

The update downloaded the KY State return and I was able to complete it with no problem!!

I E-filed the Federal return and saved everything in PDF format.

 

I'm not very pleased with TurboTax this year - I have used it with no problems since at least 2002.

Level 1
Feb 3, 2020 7:14:10 PM

I had the same issue yesterday running into the loop. I spent 2 hours on the phone with a rep that had absolutely no technical skills whatsoever. She kept telling me to do things she already watched me do numerous times and at the end told me that I had to file federal taxes before I could do the state. I laughed and said I have been doing TurboTax for 15 years to fall for that. 

I tried on my laptop today and it worked. So as one of the suggestions before took the old 2018 Forms files from the C:\Program Files (x86)\TurboTax\Deluxe 2019\Forms\XXi_18 (XX being your State abbreviation), I copied the C:\Program Files (x86)\TurboTax\Deluxe 2019\Forms\XXi_19 directory from the working machine and placed it in the C:\Program Files (x86)\TurboTax\Deluxe 2019\Forms of the non-working machine. Relaunched TurboTax 2019 and hoooorah...the state finally registered! Not a real solution, but its a workaround if you have another computer to install TurboTax on. 

Level 2
Feb 4, 2020 4:56:38 AM

I'll try that when I get home... copying the directory from my working machine to the nonworking machine.   If I knew more about the software technically, if that's the fix... then I'd better understand what the issue is for us getting the loop.   

 

Otherwise I had the same experience as you... nice support person just not very technically knowledgeable about the product outside of just having me uninstall/reinstall/reboot for two hours.  

 

Like another user I went hunting in the file system and registry trying to figure it out and it was a hot mess.  We've used TT for years and this years release was a pain... Intuit if you're reading this... the downloading state loop issue isn't winning you any customer points.  

Level 2
Feb 4, 2020 6:57:23 AM

I reinstalled TurboTax 2019 on the computer where I was stuck in the state download loop and then copied the state folder (kyi_19) from the computer where TT was working and voila - IT WORKED!

 

I can access the state, view forms, etc.

 

Great suggestion djboyag! 

I'm sure many people don't have that option if they only have one computer for example.

 

I hope TurboTax support staff reads this thread and figures out the source of their problem.

Level 1
Feb 4, 2020 11:40:17 AM

Just curious....was another version of TurboTax 2019 installed on your machine prior to the issue occuring?

Level 2
Feb 4, 2020 11:51:09 AM

I called the support line again and made reference to this discussion thread (and the URL) so maybe the development team could see the work around (copying the state folder from another computer).

 

Maybe that will help them pin down the problem and correct it.

Level 2
Feb 4, 2020 12:07:20 PM

I installed TT 2019 on my Windows 7 PC in Nov.

In December , I bought a custom built Windows 10 PC and installed TT 2019. I had issues with the way Windows 10 was configured so I formatted the drive and started over (twice).  Then TurboTax gave an error saying I exceeded the number of installs. I called support and they gave me a link to download and a new license key. 

Very helpful in that matter.

 

I also installed the new copy on my old Win7 computer but never tried to open the State return until the problem appeared on new Win10 PC and customer support could not resolve it (around (Jan 31).

 

Then I decided to try the State on the Win7 PC and it worked. I searched the forum and found this thread.