Why can’t I efile my state tax returns?

[mesquitebean]

Which state is it???  Here are a couple of possibilities for a state efile roadblock:

Did you already efile the Federal return first separately?  If so, what is it's efile status?    If efiled separately, you cannot efile the state return until the Federal return has been accepted.

Or perhaps one of your state forms is not yet available for efiling.    Open your return interview and go through the REVIEW tab.  Do you get any messages about why you can't efile it?

You can also check in this table to see if all your state forms are available:

State Forms Availability Table
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/forms/help/state-forms-availability-table-for-turbotax-individual-...

[dng]

Why can’t I efile my state tax returns? it efile federal

[dng]

mass it said to mail

[mesquitebean]

---

@ dng wrote:

mass it said to mail

---

NOTE:  You didn't provide any detail in your comment, so I don't even know what product you are using.   This answer below assumes you are using Online TurboTax.   If you are using desktop TurboTax (CD/download) installed on your computer, then part of the answer would be different for the desktop product.

***********************************************

If you efiled the Federal return first, has it been accepted?   Check at the Tax Home of your Online Account.   If you efiled the Federal return first separately, you can't efile the Massachusetts return until the Federal return has been accepted for processing by the IRS.

So if the Federal return has already been accepted, try this:

Go through the REVIEW tab and see if it tells you why you can't efile the state return.  Are there any messages there?

And when you go to the FILE section to select to efile the state return, is there any message there about not being able to efile?

Or has it been a while since you tried, and you want to try to efile again?  If you haven't actually printed and mailed the MA return, here's how to open your return back up to try to efile again (if your Federal efile has already been accepted.)

If you haven't actually filed (mailed) the state return, you can open the return back up and change the filing method for the state return.   If you encounter a roadblock, then describe exactly where it says you can't efile and any message it is giving you.

• Log into your account, and at the Tax Home or in the section "Your Tax Returns & Documents" for 2019, look for a link "Add a State."
• Click on "Add a State."  (That doesn't really add one; that's just to open the return.)
• Once the return is open, go through the REVIEW section to be sure everything is still in order.
• Then go to the FILE section and change the filing method to efile.
• Then continue on answering all the remaining screens and at the final step click a big orange button "Transmit Returns Now."

Also see my next comment below where I mention some MA state forms that are not supported for efiling.

[mesquitebean]

@dng 

Or do you have one of the Massachusetts forms in your return that is not supported for efile such as 

MA Form 8582, 

MA Schedule C-2,

Schedule INC

See this list of Massachusetts forms, and it will show which ones cannot be efiled.  In the efile column it will say "unsupported."

https://care-cdn.prodsupportsite.a.intuit.com/forms-availability/turbotax_ma_online_individual.html

[aweaver40]

im not filing state return for Tennessee only California. Tennessee has no state tax

[mesquitebean]

---

@aweaver40 wrote:

im not filing state return for Tennessee only California. Tennessee has no state tax

---

What is it you are wanting to know?  You didn't ask any question or provide any details 

Are you wanting to ask how to delete a state return that's not needed?  Or were you wanting to ask something else about the 2 states?

And are you using Online TurboTax (web version) or the desktop software (CD/download)?

You didn't say which of those states is your resident state.  Is California your resident state, or is Tennessee?

According to the FAQ at the link below, Tennessee residents only file a tax return if their interest and dividend income exceeded $1,250 ($2,500 for joint filers). This is the Hall income tax.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/state-taxes/help/which-states-don-t-have-income-tax/00/26063

If California is your resident state, you can still be taxed by California on Tennessee income even if no Tennessee state return is required.   See if this FAQ pertains to you:

FAQ:  Why does my tax free income from states with no income tax get taxed on my resident state return?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/state-taxes/help/why-does-tax-free-income-from-alaska-florida-new-...

[anthony340]

I'm not able to file my Massachusetts tax return electronically.  I receive a Form 1099-R. And my Massachusetts pension isn't taxed. When I get to the following step in the State interview (using Turbo Tax Deluxe). I'm not sure if I'm suppose to add that figure amount into the box. And when I do include a figure. It indicates the following: "After manually entering an exclusion amount above, you will not be eligible to electronically file your Massachusetts tax return" I'm assuming I can mail the state in. Any help would be appreciated.

[mesquitebean]

@anthony340 

I'll see if someone familiar with retirement tax situations is familiar with Massachusetts pensions by any chance.

@dmertz  When you are next in the forum, would you by any chance be familiar with this MA pension situation?    Thanks.

[mesquitebean]

@anthony340 

Did you see the answer that was left for you back in April in this thread on how to enter a tax-exempt MA pension?   

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/retirement/discussion/re-do-i-enter-my-pension-distribution-amount...

It sounds like from that answer there that TurboTax automatically makes it tax-exempt in the state return section if you entered it correctly in the Federal section, then when you prepare the state return if you answered the proper question about tax-exempt pensions in the state section and used the dropdown box to indicate it was tax-exempt.

I'm just a fellow user--not a tax expert--and have no way to simulate it.  I've asked someone familiar with retirement tax situations to assist you here, if they are familiar with MA returns.   If not, we can tell you how to phone TurboTax Support.

[dmertz]

I can't really help with MA questions.  I would just suggest reviewing the MA instructions for preparing a MA tax return:  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dor-personal-income-tax-forms-and-instructions#2019-massachusetts-...

[anthony340]

What was told to me in that persons answer couldn't be done. I went thru the steps in the Mass preparations. It didn't ask if  you have tax exempt  income from pensions or annuities. And there wasn't any CSA 1099R listed so that a drop down box for which to mark it tax exempt. I entered all the Federal tax questions correctly as far as I see.

[mesquitebean]

@ anthony340 

 If you don't get any further comments in this user community forum from someone familiar with how TurboTax handles tax-exempt MA pensions on the MA state return, you can phone TurboTax Support tomorrow for realtime help during business hours. 

When you right-click on that data box in the image that you provided above, is there any popup with an "about" link that provides any help/guidance for that screen?   I know the Windows version often has such a popup for more info on various data screens; I don't know about Mac.

Also, since you have desktop software, if you go into Forms Mode and look at the state worksheets and forms, you might see how TurboTax is handling it on the actual worksheets/forms to see if they reflect the correct situation and conform to the state instructions dmertz provided the link for above.

Support hours are 5AM-5PM Pacific (8AM-8PM Eastern), Mon-Fri

You can use this contact form to get an incident number and phone number.  Or it may schedule a call back.
https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact

[sidersjga]

I keep getting a "cancelled" message when trying to e-file my state return.  I successfully e-filed my federal return and it has been accepted.  I've deleted cookies and tried a different browser.  What other steps can I take to electronically file via TurboTax?  I have film credits which must be filed electronically.  Thanks.