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New Member
posted Jun 4, 2019 3:56:11 PM

Why is my state return only showing "started" yet doesn't give me an option to click on anything to "finish"?

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 3:56:18 PM

Since your efiled Federal return has been accepted, and since it appears that all the California forms are available, you should be able to go back and open up your State return to complete and file it.  Carefully review it before filing since the forms may have updated since you last worked on it.

NOTE:  When you go back to your account to finish and file your return, you may see a notice to finish and file the state return.  If so, you can follow that path to see if it gets you back to the state return.

If it doesn't, here's a way to open the state return back up.  Don't make any changes to the Federal return, since it has already been filed.

  • Log in and go to the section "Your Tax Returns & Documents."  Click on that line or the word SHOW to expand that section.
  • Choose 2017.
  • Choose "Add a state."  (you're not really adding one; that's just to get the return to open up.)
  • Once the return is open, you can go to the State Taxes tab to complete the state return.  Carefully review it before filing since some of the forms may have updated.  Continue in that section until it says "Done with State" (or similar words.)
  • Also step through the REVIEW tab to run the error check and be sure all is in order.
  • Then go to the FILE section to select a filing method, and choose to file only the State return.
  • If efiling, make sure you go all the way to the end and click on "Transmit My Returns Now."
  • If filing by mail, you will need to print, sign, and mail the return yourself.  TurboTax does not mail it for you.
NOTE:  Do NOT use this method to open a return to make changes/edits to an already-filed return (one that has actually been mailed or efiled.)   If you later need to make changes to an already-filed return, you have to go through the formal amending process, and your return must start off exactly as originally filed.

7 Replies
Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 3:56:12 PM

Did you previously efile the Federal return, and has it been accepted?  The state return can say "started" if all the forms were not yet available when  you originally tried to efile it with the Federal.

Also, what state?

We can probably tell you how to open it back, finish it, and file.

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 3:56:13 PM

CA. And yes, they were not available. But what do I do now?

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 3:56:15 PM

You didn't answer all the questions above.  So I'll assume that your Federal return was efiled and has been accepted.   Watch for my answer below.

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 3:56:16 PM

Sorry. E-filed and accepted, yes.

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 3:56:18 PM

Since your efiled Federal return has been accepted, and since it appears that all the California forms are available, you should be able to go back and open up your State return to complete and file it.  Carefully review it before filing since the forms may have updated since you last worked on it.

NOTE:  When you go back to your account to finish and file your return, you may see a notice to finish and file the state return.  If so, you can follow that path to see if it gets you back to the state return.

If it doesn't, here's a way to open the state return back up.  Don't make any changes to the Federal return, since it has already been filed.

  • Log in and go to the section "Your Tax Returns & Documents."  Click on that line or the word SHOW to expand that section.
  • Choose 2017.
  • Choose "Add a state."  (you're not really adding one; that's just to get the return to open up.)
  • Once the return is open, you can go to the State Taxes tab to complete the state return.  Carefully review it before filing since some of the forms may have updated.  Continue in that section until it says "Done with State" (or similar words.)
  • Also step through the REVIEW tab to run the error check and be sure all is in order.
  • Then go to the FILE section to select a filing method, and choose to file only the State return.
  • If efiling, make sure you go all the way to the end and click on "Transmit My Returns Now."
  • If filing by mail, you will need to print, sign, and mail the return yourself.  TurboTax does not mail it for you.
NOTE:  Do NOT use this method to open a return to make changes/edits to an already-filed return (one that has actually been mailed or efiled.)   If you later need to make changes to an already-filed return, you have to go through the formal amending process, and your return must start off exactly as originally filed.

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 3:56:19 PM

Unfortunately, following these exact steps it keeps telling me I am "duplicate filing". Yet still shows only "started" under state.

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 3:56:20 PM

Aw, shucks.  You are doing it correctly, but for "some" users that is a  known issue, and you seem to have been caught by that glitch.  See this FAQ on this issue.  It will also have a link where you can sign up for notifications:

FAQ: State E-file Error: "Your Transmission Didn't Go Through Due to Duplicate Social Security Number"

<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4210149">https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4210149</a>