Most states allow you to file your State Return separately from your Federal Return so long as your Federal Return has already been accepted by the IRS, although there are a few states that have more specific requirements.
There are three ways that state returns can be submitted.
Stand Alone states allow taxpayers to electronically file there State Return with or without their Federal Return.
Piggyback states MUST electronically file their State Return WITH their Federal Return. If the Federal Return gets rejected then the State Return will also be rejected. Typically any corrections made to the Federal Return should also be corrected on the State Return and then they can be resubmitted together. If the Federal Return is accepted, but the State Return is rejected then corrections will need to be made to the State Return and then resubmitted by itself. If you electronically filed your Federal Return without submitting your State Return then you will need to paper file the State Return.
State Only states can be submitted without the Federal Return so long as the online tax prep has a record of your Federal Return already being submitted and accepted.
Once your returns have been accepted they will begin to process independently from each other. Check your state’s revenue service or government website for more specific information on when they will begin accepting returns and when to expect your refund.
Stand Alone
California
Massachusetts
Piggyback
Arkansas
State Only
Alabama
Arizona
Colorado
Connecticut
District of Columbia (D.C.)
Delaware
Georgia
Hawaii
Iowa
Idaho
Illonois
Indiana
Kansas
Kenntucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Mississippi
Montana
North Carolina
North Dakota
Nebraska
NewHampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennesse
Utah
Virginia
Vermont
Wisconsin
West Virginia