Yes. When you e-file your federal tax return, your state return can be transmitted at the same time, provided you've completed all of the required information for your state return.
Most taxpayers choose to file their federal and state returns together because it's faster and more convenient. Since many states use information from your federal return, much of your state return is automatically populated from the information you've already entered.
How Do I Create a State Tax Return?
After completing your federal return, you'll have the option to prepare a state return.
To get started:
- Go to the State section of your return.
- Select your state from the list.
- Choose your residency status.
Depending on the state, you may see one or more of the following residency options:
- Resident: You lived in the state for the entire tax year.
- Part-Year Resident: You lived in the state for only part of the year.
- Nonresident: You earned income in the state but did not live there as a resident.
Not every state offers all three residency classifications. After selecting your status, you'll be guided through any state-specific questions needed to complete the return.
Some states require additional information, deductions, credits, or local tax details. Others may require very little beyond what you've already entered on your federal return.
How Do I E-File My Federal and State Returns?
Select E-File on the left navigation menu. You will be asked about the Federal return first, then the State return(s). Proceed through the E-File process to submit your return(s) to be filed electronically.
We'll send your returns for processing once the e-file process is complete.
What Happens If My Federal Return Is Rejected?
Even when you choose to file your federal and state returns together, most states require the IRS to accept your federal return before they begin processing the state return.
If your federal return is rejected:
- Your state return is not transmitted to the state tax agency.
- You'll need to correct the issue causing the federal rejection.
- Once the federal return is successfully accepted, you can complete the e-file process again to submit the state return.
This process helps prevent delays and reduces the likelihood of state return errors caused by changes to the federal return.