Accidentally filed as a resident

[shreyasnkk]

Hi, I accidentally filed the 2025 tax return as a resident (federal and California state tax), but I am a non-resident. How do I amend the changes for both federal and state taxes? Any help would be appreciated.

[DawnC]

You will need to amend the Form 1040 and file Form 1040-NR instead.   TurboTax does not support Form 1040-NR, but we do partner with Sprintax to handle 1040-NR forms.    You can use them to amend the return you filed and generate the correct non-resident return.   Please visit the TurboTax/Sprintax site for more info.

[shreyasnkk]

I see, thank you so much for your time. I had a couple of questions.

• Should I wait until the current status of my application is marked as complete before proceeding further?

• Is there a separate amendment required for my state tax return as well?

• When does the amendment process for the 2025 tax year begin?

• If I have received an excess refund, what is the correct process to repay the extra amount?

[LenaH]

Before amending your return, it must be accepted by the IRS and the state of California. The California amended return you must file is 540X, and you will need to file a 540NR as a non-resident instead. Please check back in late February to amend your 2025 returns. 

For more information, please see How do I amend my federal return for this year?

@shreyasnkk 

[shreyasnkk]

Hey @LenaH , I wanted to reach out on the exact steps that I should take forward. My previous return was approved, and I got a refund.

Should I file new forms 1040-NR and 540-NR through Sprintax or just select the option of amending previous return for 2025 (when it appears on sprintax) and attach 1040-X, 540-X?

And if I received an extra amount, how should I give it back?

Thank you for your help

[Rabin08]

Hey, brother I have found myself in same situation. Did you got any solution to this, if so could you share with me ? 

[Vanessa A]

If you are a non-resident, it is best to file the new forms through Sprintax.com.  You cannot make the necessary changes using TurboTax even with the amended form. 

@shreyasnkk 

@Rabin08 

[shreyasnkk]

Thank you for the response. I had a doubt: what should I do with the extra money that I received by filling out the form as a resident? And, is there no amendment required? Is directly filling new forms from Sprintax safe?

[RogerD1]

Yes, Sprintax is safe - TurboTax has partnered with them to direct non-residents to file with them.

It sounds like you have received your refunds already, so you are cleared to amend.  You will need to fill out a 1040-NR and then report the differences between the 1040 NR and the original 1040 on an amended 1040 X.  Filing a 1040 as a non-resident is a very common issue.  For this Sprintax has a post on the steps needed in order to take care of this - check out the link for Filed 1040 instead of 1040-NR