E-file Your 2008 State Tax Return

Here you'll learn about state-specific e-filing information and instructions.

Select a link:

About e-filing a state income tax return

• How do I contact my state taxing authority?
• Which states allow e-filing?
• How many state returns can I e-file?
• Will TurboTax Online automatically e-file my state return?

E-filing a 2008 state tax return

• How do I check the e-file status of my state return?
• What tax forms do states accept for e-filing?
• What is the cost to e-file a 2008 state tax return?

To contact your state taxing authority, you'll first need to refer to 2008 State Information and select the link to your state. Every state's website is different, but look for Contact Us or similar wording on the site.

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Most states support e-filing. However, the requirements can vary depending on whether your federal return has been filed and/or accepted. Here's a breakdown of state e-filing requirements.

Independent states

Independent e-filing states maintain their own e-file processing systems, which lets you e-file your state return separately (independently) from the federal return. In fact, you can even e-file these state returns if you didn't e-file the federal return.

The five independent states are:

• California
• Illinois
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota

Also, DCNs (Declaration Control Numbers) for these states differ from the federal DCNs.

JELF states

Unlike independent states, Joint ELectronic Filing (JELF) states rely on federal e-filing processing equipment to process their returns. Therefore, DCNs for JELF states are the same as the federal DCN.

There are two types of JELF states:

• "True" JELF states require that the state return is e-filed at the same time as the federal return. For 2008, the sole "true" JELF state is Arkansas.
• "Regular" JELF states only require that the federal return has already been e-filed. The status of the federal return, whether accepted, pending, or rejected, doesn't matter. The remaining states not mentioned above fall into this category.

States that don't support e-filing

• New Hampshire
• Tennessee

States that don't have an income tax

• Alaska
• Florida
• Nevada
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Washington
• Wyoming

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You can e-file up to three state returns for each federal return. To learn how, see File a Second State Return. If you require additional state returns, you can print and mail those in excess of three. See Print and Mail Your Return.

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No. TurboTax Online does not automatically file any return unless you select the option to e-file the return. See the instructions below to learn how to e-file your state return. If your state requires that you file your federal and state returns together, you must still select the option to e-file your state return in addition to your federal return.

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You'll e-file your state income tax return in the same way as you e-file your federal income tax return. Always make sure that you follow the on-screen instructions in the TurboTax Interview when e-filing your tax returns.

Before you e-file your state income tax return, make sure that you review the following:

• If you live and work in separate states, see Filing State Returns When You Live and Work in Separate States.
• To determine if your state allows e-filing and whether you are required to e-file your state return at the same time or after you e-file your federal return, see Which states allow e-filing?

When you're ready to e-file your state income tax return, go to How to E-file to learn how to send your state return electronically (either with or without your federal return).

You can also watch the video below to see how to get started on e-filing your state return:

 

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Open your tax return in the TurboTax program, select the Print & File tab at the top, then select Check E-file Status.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the e-filing process for your state return.

Please note that state tax return acknowledgments usually take about five days from the time you e-file your state tax return until it is ACCEPTED or REJECTED by the state taxing authority. During this period of time, you'll see a "Pending" status in the TurboTax program. This is normal.

Also note that some states are taking longer to acknowledge e-filed tax returns. If your tax return is not acknowledged after five or more days, please contact your state taxing authority.

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Each state allows certain forms and schedules to be electronically filed, while some tax forms are not authorized for e-filing and must be printed and filed by mail.

Note: If you are e-filing your state return and get a message indicating that the taxing authority did not release a particular form in time, this could mean that there is a form(s) in your return that your state does not allow to be transmitted electronically.

 

To find out if and when a particular state form is available for e-filing, click here and then click "View forms" for your state. The words Date for Efile indicate that the form is available to be e-filed on the corresponding date.

If you only see Date for Print listed below form, you cannot e-file your state tax return, but will need to print and file it by mail. See Print and Mail Your Return.

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It depends on which TurboTax 2008 product you use to prepare your state income tax return.

TurboTax Online 2008

State e-filing is included in the cost to prepare a state return using TurboTax Online 2008. You can e-file up to three state returns per federal return.

TurboTax 2008 CD or Download

E-filing your state return is $19.95 per state in TurboTax 2008 desktop (CD/download) products. You can e-file up to three states per federal return.

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