Discussion:How do I efile multiple states in Proseries?

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Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> How do I efile multiple states in Proseries?

Nola999 (talk|edits) said:

7 April 2006
I tried to ask someone at Proseries technical, but she didn't really get my question and I thought I would ask here for people with actual experience.

I've efiled a few different states, so I know that I have to register if required, but I've only efiled when there was one state return.

Are there any problems with 2 state part-year returns? Anything extra that I need to do?

What about a nonresident return with the resident state giving a tax credit? Does Proseries send a copy of the nonresident state as an attachment to the resident return as required?

Was that last sentence hard to understand? If I file an AZ resident return with a tax credit for taxes paid to another state, AZ requires that I attach a copy of the nonresident return. Does Proseries do that?

MDTaxgal (talk|edits) said:

7 April 2006
My understanding is you have to be seperately registered in the various states to register without a federal return... I did not register seperately with the state of MD so when I have more than one state - I usually choose the one with the smaller refund to paperfile and efile the other state piggyback with the state.

Sw (talk|edits) said:

7 April 2006
If the AZ lets you do state only, you might be able to piggyback the other state to your federal.

JR1 (talk|edits) said:

7 April 2006
I have only registerd in IL (home state) and CA upon request. Never ever anywhere else. Just efiled and they've all been accepted. NC, SC, OH, WI, MI, CO, NM, KY, IN...off the top of my head. Oh, NY, IA...

AJS (talk|edits) said:

7 April 2006
You can just download all the states you need in proseries. I don't think you need a registration for that. I am on pay per return basis and can file any state in proseries. Prepare the NR state tax return first and then the resident. The tax credit automatically goes in the resident state. I am efiling all the state returns simultaneously and there was no problem. The returns have been accepted. It means proseries must have sent a copy of NR return with the resident return.

Nola999 (talk|edits) said:

8 April 2006
To be more clear, I've paper filed lots of multiple state returns with Proseries, it's just the efiling that I'm concerned about. The one I want to efile tomorrow is Iowa, and they, like Arizona, don't require any registration if you are registered for federal.

So, JR1, you sound like the expert. You mark the resident state F/S and the nonres state as SO (State Only.) The pull down menu on Proseries Federal Information Worksheet shows the different states, and it looks like they can all be coded either stand alone or independent.

And you've never had a complaint from the resident state about not receiving a copy to substantiate the other state tax credit? I guess the worst that would happen is that we would get a letter asking for a copy.

JR1 (talk|edits) said:

8 April 2006
I didn't know I was the expert, Nola! But I don't even do what you describe. On the Info sheet (I'm in ProSeries, btw), I merely mark the two boxes to efile the Fed and State. Then in the box that can list states, I just list the states where we'll file. It picks the type. Down below, near the bottom, it asks which states you need to file returns in, so I list them there again, fill in the PY or NR schedule...(Always do the NR/PY states first, then the home state)..When I'm all done and have sign. forms in hand, I just hit the zap button, I call it, and off they go. I never hear anything other than the green thumb, except for that CA a couple years ago. It's easier than I describe.

Nola999 (talk|edits) said:

8 April 2006
Thanks for the help. I wish I'd asked the quesion earlier in the season.

LJACPA (talk|edits) said:

8 April 2006
Oops, I responded to this in the other multi state efiling discussion. Bottom line, watch out for states that do not allow efiling part-year returns (e.g. AL and OK, that I know about).

JR1 (talk|edits) said:

8 April 2006
You'll know the states that won't allow efiling when you run your final check. The dread red screen will come up, so you go back to the Fed, delist that state, back to the state return to update, and file manually. It's rare tho. WI is the worst in my area. IL residents can't efile WI and they want the whole Fed return attached as well...Someday.

LJACPA (talk|edits) said:

8 April 2006
Seriously? What is the "dread red screen"? I check the errors and diagnostics for every return I prepare and this did not come up as an error, or I just don't know what to look for.

JR1 (talk|edits) said:

8 April 2006
Oh, you've never seen it? How lucky can you be??? Do this, pop open a return and delete the SS# or DOB of the taxpayer. Now go to the final check...and you'll see it. When you see that, you're hosed unless it's an error that you can fix. On the states it pert near always means that you can't efile due to it being a PY return or a CR schedule or some such thing. On a Fed, a W2 which has FIT over 50% of the wages will keep you from efiling (common with our S corp shareholders).

LJACPA (talk|edits) said:

8 April 2006
Ok, I know what you're talking about and, yes, I have seen it and fixed it. However, I could swear that on the two PY state returns it never came up.

JR1 (talk|edits) said:

8 April 2006
Many/most states allow a PY efile, so it wouldn't come up...

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