How to file ONLY state taxes if federal already filed with TurboTax?

I'm stuck in a frustrating situation. I already did my federal taxes with TurboTax, but when it came time to do my state taxes, they wanted me to pay before I could proceed. So I only finished filing my federal return. Now I'm trying to find a way to just file my STATE taxes and it's becoming a nightmare. Every tax service I check seems to force me to do federal taxes first, then state... and they want to charge me for BOTH even though I only need state filing. They all seem to require completing federal with them before allowing state tax filing. Has anyone figured out how to just file state taxes separately after already submitting federal through another service? This is driving me crazy because I don't want to pay twice for federal tax preparation when mine is already done! There has to be a way to file ONLY state taxes without redoing everything, right?

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22 comments

Klaus Schmidt

•8M

Yes, you can definitely file only your state taxes! Most states offer a free direct filing option through their own department of revenue or taxation website. You don't have to go through TurboTax or other tax prep companies at all. Just go to your state's official tax department website (google "[your state] department of revenue" or "[your state] tax filing"). Most states have their own free filing portal where you can enter your information directly. You'll need information from your federal return (like your AGI) but you won't have to redo or refile your federal taxes. Since you already completed your federal return with TurboTax, you'll have all the numbers you need to complete your state return. Just have a copy of your federal return handy when you fill out the state form.

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Klaus Schmidt

•8M

Most states do offer e-filing through their official websites now, so you should be able to submit electronically without printing and mailing forms. You'll typically create an account on your state's tax portal, enter your information, and submit the return along with any payment (if you owe) electronically. If you're owed a refund, you can usually provide direct deposit information just like with federal returns. If you're really comfortable with the tax forms, another option is to download your state's forms as PDFs, fill them out manually, and either mail them in or see if your state allows you to upload completed PDF forms. But the online portal route is usually easier.

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Aisha Patel

•8M

After going through the exact same situation (did federal with TurboTax then balked at their state filing fee), I found this awesome service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that saved me so much frustration. It specifically lets you do JUST state taxes and import your federal info without having to redo everything. I was initially skeptical but uploaded my federal PDF, and it pre-populated most of my state return automatically. Saved me like 2 hours of manual entry on my state's clunky government website. Really wish I'd known about it sooner! It's specifically designed for situations like yours where you've already filed federal but need to do state separately.

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Aisha Patel

•8M

It supports all states that have income taxes - I used it for Illinois but I know it works for California too since that's actually where they have the most users. It handles all state-specific credits and deductions because it's specifically built for state tax filings. Regarding security, I had the same concerns initially. They use bank-level encryption and don't store your documents after processing. You can also delete your data after filing. I researched them pretty thoroughly before using them and they have good reviews from security standpoints. Plus they only need your federal return info, not all your personal documents and receipts.

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Dmitri Volkov

•8M

Just wanted to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai after asking about it here. I decided to try it for my Michigan taxes after filing federal with FreeTaxUSA. It actually worked really well! I uploaded my federal return PDF and it pulled all the relevant info into my state return automatically. What surprised me was how it caught a state tax credit I would have missed on my own. The whole process took maybe 20 minutes instead of the hours I spent last year. Definitely less stressful than trying to navigate my state's government website with all its weird timeouts and confusing instructions.

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Gabrielle Dubois

•8M

If you're having trouble reaching your state tax department for help (which is SUPER common this time of year), I'd recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was stuck in the same situation and couldn't get anyone on the phone at my state tax office to answer my questions about filing separately. Claimyr got me connected to a real person at my state tax department in about 10 minutes instead of the 3+ hours I spent on hold before. The agent walked me through exactly how to file just my state return without redoing my federal. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. Honestly saved my sanity during tax season!

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Gabrielle Dubois

•8M

It's not a priority line - they use technology that continuously calls and navigates phone trees until it gets through, then it calls you when it reaches a human. Basically it does the holding for you. It works with both the IRS and state tax departments. The catch is that it's a service that exists because government agencies are terribly understaffed. I was skeptical too but when you're desperate to get tax questions answered before the deadline, it's worth it. They don't provide tax advice themselves - they just connect you to the actual government employees who can help with your specific situation.

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Ingrid Larsson

•8M

I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I was desperate enough to try it for reaching my state tax department. I needed clarification on how to file only my state return after using TaxAct for federal. I had been trying for literally 3 days to get through on my own. The Claimyr service connected me to a human at my state tax office in about 15 minutes. The person I talked to gave me the direct link to file just my state return and confirmed I didn't need to redo my federal. Problem solved in one phone call! Not going back to hours of hold music ever again.

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Carlos Mendoza

•8M

Another option is to check if your state has a fillable PDF version of the tax return on their website. I did this last year for Arizona - just downloaded the form, filled it out on my computer using info from my federal return, then printed and mailed it. Some states even let you submit these PDFs electronically. It takes a bit more tax knowledge than using software, but it's completely free and you don't have to redo your federal return. Just make sure you have your federal AGI and other key numbers from your completed federal return.

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Carlos Mendoza

•8M

Most state fillable PDFs actually do the calculations automatically, which makes it much easier than doing everything by hand. You just need to enter the correct information in each field, and the form will calculate totals, tax owed, etc. It definitely requires more understanding of taxes than using software that walks you through everything with questions, but it's not as hard as it might seem. The instructions are usually pretty clear, and you're basically just transferring information from your federal return in many cases. If your tax situation is fairly straightforward (W-2 income, standard deduction), it's definitely manageable.

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Keisha Johnson

•5M

I went through this exact same frustration last year! What worked for me was using my state's direct filing website. I'm in Texas so no state income tax, but I helped my sister in New York with this same issue. The key thing is to have your federal return handy because you'll need your AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) and other key numbers to complete the state return. Most state websites have pretty straightforward online forms that walk you through it step by step. One tip: if your state's website seems confusing or keeps timing out (looking at you, California!), try filing during off-peak hours like early morning or late evening. The government sites get overwhelmed during busy times. Also, don't forget to check if you qualify for any state-specific credits or deductions that might not have been on your federal return. Some states have credits for things like college tuition, childcare, or even renter's credits that can save you money!

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Giovanni Martello

•4M

I actually work for the IRS and can confirm that you absolutely do NOT need to refile your federal return to file state taxes separately. This is a common misconception that tax software companies unfortunately don't always make clear. Here's what you need to do: Go directly to your state's Department of Revenue website (every state calls it something slightly different - could be Department of Taxation, Franchise Tax Board, etc.). Most states have free online filing systems that are completely separate from federal filing. You'll need your federal return information handy - specifically your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), federal tax withheld, and any other federal numbers that carry over to state forms. But you won't be refiling or changing your federal return in any way. One thing to watch out for: some commercial tax prep sites will try to make you think you need their "state-only" packages, but these often still charge fees. Your state's official website is usually free for basic returns. If you run into technical issues with your state's website (which unfortunately happens during peak filing season), try accessing it during off-peak hours or consider calling your state tax department directly for assistance with their online system.

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