State install/e-file update loop: State not installed after installation or TurboTax needs to update prior to e-file

If you're using TurboTax Desktop, you may experience an issue where your state is already downloaded but not showing as installed.  When you try to download your state, you get a message that Your software is up to date with the state product never installing and you're caught in a loop. You could also be prompted to update prior to e-filing and getting a message that says You're up to date.

Resolution

To resolve, close TurboTax and then:

1. Download the 2024 TTCleanStatesTool.zip file and save it to your desktop or other easy-to-find location.
   • Go here for the 2023 link.
2. Double-click to open the zip folder.
3. Extract the contents of the folder to your desktop and open the extracted folder.
4. Right-click the downloaded file (TTCleanStates.exe) and select Run as Administrator.
5. Select your version (Personal or Business).
6. Select your state from the dropdown menu and choose Remove (if you're having problems with multiple states, choose Remove all States).
7. Once the tool finishes removing the state return(s), close it and reopen TurboTax.
8. Follow the prompts to update TurboTax at the prompt. It should start downloading your state.
   • If it doesn't, select the State Taxes tab and download it from there.

If this fix fails:

1. Uninstall TurboTax.
2. Double-click the CD (valid for tax years 2023 and prior) or download file to start the reinstallation process.
3. Select Next on the welcome screen.
4. Select I Agree on the License Agreement.
5. On the next screen, where you see the install location, select Browse and change it to the location where TurboTax was originally installed (normally, it's something like C:Program Files (x86)TurboTaxDeluxe 20XX).
6. Select Install after changing the location.
7. Open TurboTax after installation and proceed to your state taxes.

If the preceding steps don't resolve this issue, restart your computer in Selective Startup and run the tool again.