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New Member
July 31, 2026
Question

Can you efile a federal 1040 now and a state return a few weeks later?

  • July 31, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 18 views

Can you file a 1040 now and the state return later?

 

    4 replies

    PhoebeRoberts
    Intuit Community Champion
    July 31, 2026

    Generally yes, but it depends on the state. I think most of the “mandatory piggyback” states now permit a state-only e-file if the federal return was accepted earlier.

    What’s the goal in the state delay? Perhaps there’s an easier way to accomplish it.

    New Member
    July 31, 2026

    The client wants to get the federal refund in order to pay the state balance due. The state is NJ.

    PhoebeRoberts
    Intuit Community Champion
    July 31, 2026

    New Jersey is fine to file standalone.

    My recommendation would be for the client to schedule the NJ payment here: https://www1.state.nj.us/TYTR_RevTaxPortal/jsp/IndTaxLoginJsp.jsp once the federal refund has arrived. One less thing for you to worry about, and you don’t need to get a freshly-dated NJ-8879. That said, I totally understand making an exception for a technically-challenged client.

    New Member
    July 31, 2026

    Thanks for you’re response.