Can I efile California state return during IRS efile shutdown?

[Busy123]

I spoke the CA Franchise Tax Board today. They stated that California is still accepting e-filing of 2017 individual state returns during the IRS shutdown. In fact the ProSeries client letter states that the Fed return should be mailed in and the state return will be e-filed  

When I attempt to e-file the state return only..... the drop downs when I select "Electronic Filing" are all dim (cannot be selected)

[Intuit_Matt B · Accepted solution]

The client letter is a result of having the CA return marked for efile. If you un-mark the state return for e-file the client letter will update accordingly.

Currently we are only transmitting business returns until the IRS shuts down those servers at the end of Dec. All e-filing will resume at the beginning of the next tax season.

[MariaR]

I was in the same boat with 2 clients two weeks ago but, unfortunately, neither return can be e-filed since Proseries isn't processing any e-filing until the system reopens sometime probably late January 2019.

My clients are both debating/thinking whether or not they should mail them in now or just wait for the e-file system to open back up.

Opinions?

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

I have one that I just gave him the choice last week...mail it in and wait however long it takes to process to get the refund, or wait until January sometime to file electronically...he chose to wait.

[MariaR]

Thanks! I have on client leaning towards waiting and the other is leaning towards mailing lol I just think it's unpredictable if the mailed in one would get processed any quicker than if you wait for e-file to open up again :smile:

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

My thoughts exactly!  

[George4Tacks]

CA just scans that front page, so I would think the processing time for it should be fairly quick.
Don't forget to include the 8948 and CA 8454

[MariaR]

@George4Tacks I remembered   And now that I think about it... did I really have to include the 8948 if it's obvious it's being mailed in because the e-file system is down? Just a thought lol

[George4Tacks]

Obvious? To who? I alway err on the side of caution. Better to mail too much, then not enough.

[Busy123]

Thank you all for your input.  After speaking with Intuit, I have recommended that both of my clients mail in their CA state return. Waiting could be as long as early Feb ... and the late filing clock is ticking