Can you file a state tax return only without filing a federal tax return?

Forum|Forum|11 months ago
April 30, 2025
2 replies
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I am waiting on some additional information in order to file my federal tax return, but am hoping to submit my state tax return before the deadline. I am having trouble finalizing my state tax return before finishing the federal return in turbotax. Does anyone know how to resolve?

DawnC

Employee

You can if you file by mail. But if you want to e-file your state return, it has to be e-filed with your federal return or after your federal return is accepted. Can I e-file my state return before my federal?

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rjs

Employee

You should not file your state tax return if your federal tax return is not complete and final. The state tax return takes information from the federal tax return. If you file your state tax return before your federal tax return is complete, some of the information in the state tax return might turn out to be wrong. In addition, if you make changes to your federal tax return it might automatically change the state tax return in TurboTax, so it will no longer match the state tax return that you filed. You would then have a very messy situation where you have to amend your state tax return, but you no longer have the original state tax return in TurboTax.

I strongly recommend that you wait to file your state tax return until you have finished your federal tax return. If you have not already missed the state filing deadline, file an extension for the state tax return.