Delete Your State Tax Return
Sometimes you need to clear your state tax return so you can start over. Or you may have started a state tax return and then changed your mind about filing it.
Either way, you can clear or delete your state return. Click the appropriate set of instructions and we'll show you how it's done.
- TurboTax Desktop (CD or downloaded software)
- TurboTax Online
In TurboTax Desktop versions, deleting your state return does not remove your TurboTax state program.
Windows:
- Temporarily switch to Forms Mode by choosing Forms from the TurboTax View menu.
- From the File menu, choose Remove State Return.
- Select the state return you want to delete, and then click Remove. Click Yes to confirm.
- To start your state return again, choose Step-by-Step from the View menu to switch back to Interview mode, and then click the State Taxes tab. Click Continue.
Macintosh:
- From the TurboTax File menu, choose Remove [state] Data.
- Click Remove to confirm.
- To start your state return again, click the State Taxes tab, and then click Continue.
In TurboTax Online, you can delete your state return by removing the state product – as long as you haven't paid for that state yet.
Remember: You will not be able to delete your state return in TurboTax Online if you've already paid for it. Once you've paid for your state return, the Delete link disappears from view. *- In TurboTax Online, click the State Taxes tab, and then click the gray Your State Returns button beneath it.
- TurboTax will open the Status of Your State Returns screen, which lists all of your state tax returns.
- In the Action column, click Delete next to the state you want to remove, and then click Yes to confirm.
- To start your state return again, click the Add Another State button on the Status of Your State Returns screen.
* There is one situation where the Delete link disappears before you've paid for your state, and that's if you chose the option to deduct the state processing fee from your refund.
In that case, walk through the filing section of the interview again by clicking the Print & File tab. Select the E-file button, and on the Select the Returns You're Ready to E-File screen, select the option Do not e-file my state. You will now be able to delete that state by following Steps 1-4 above.
