Amend

Yes, you can use your 2019 earned income instead of your 2020 income to compute the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit if your 2019 earned income was more than your 2020 earned income. 

 

Please wait until your original return has been processed before filing an amended return (Form-X). You can e-file your 2020 amended federal tax return, but most states require amendments to be printed and filed by mail. Please see FAQ How to amend a tax return for instructions.

 

Please see Where's My Amended Return? to check the status of your amended return.

 

 

Please follow these steps in TurboTax to calculate the Earned Income Credit with the 2019 earned income:

1. Login to your TurboTax Account 
2. Click on the Search box on the top and type "EIC"
3. Click on “Jump to EIC”
4. Answer the questions until you reach the screen "Do you want to use last year’s earned income?"
5. Note your current refund amount using your 2020 earned income at the top of the screen.
6. Click "Yes", enter your "2019 Earned Income" if the field is blank and click "continue".
7. Compare the new refund amount using your 2019 earned income with the previously noted refund amount using your 2020 earned income.
8. If your new refund amount is lower click "back" and then select "No" for the "Do you want to use your 2019 income to calculate this credit instead?" question.

 

 

You also may use your 2019 income for the Child Tax Credit:

1. Login to your TurboTax Account 
2. Click on the Search box on the top and type "Child tax credit"
3. Click on “Jump to child tax credit”
4. Answer the questions until you reach the screen "Do you want to use last year’s earned income?"
5. Note your current refund amount using your 2020 earned income at the top of the screen.
6. Click "Yes", enter your "2019 Earned Income" if the field is blank and click "continue".
7. Compare the new refund amount using your 2019 earned income with the previously noted refund amount using your 2020 earned income.
8. If your new refund amount is lower click "back" and then select "No" for the "Do you want to use your 2019 income to calculate this credit instead?" question.