Can I efile a 2020 amended return?

[munnik]

IRS allows it but Turbo Tax Desktop Premier says efile is closed for the season.  Is there a work around for this?

[DoninGA]

Using the TurboTax personal editions software a prior year federal amended tax return cannot be e-filed, it can only be printed and mailed.

[munnik]

Can I bring data into the online version and then efile?  I used the Premier Desktop software to efile 2020 return. 

[DoninGA]

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@munnik wrote:

Can I bring data into the online version and then efile?  I used the Premier Desktop software to efile 2020 return. 

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If you are referring to amending a 2020 tax return, no you cannot transfer the 2020 tax data from the desktop edition to the 2021 online editions to amend a 2020 tax return.

[munnik]

IRS publication references using available software products.  Assumed that TurboTax would fall in that category.  Lately not impressed with TurboTax.  Can you suggest another product that will allow me to efile an amended return?

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

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@munnik wrote:

IRS publication references using available software products.  Assumed that TurboTax would fall in that category.  Lately not impressed with TurboTax.  Can you suggest another product that will allow me to efile an amended return?

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No, I am not aware of any other personal tax preparation software that will e-file a prior year federal amended tax return.  Most professional tax preparation software will e-file prior year amended returns.  However, that will cost you additional fees to use a local professional tax preparer. 

[Click]

I am very disappointed that I cannot efile an amended return for 2020. The IRS makes it very clear that "you can now file the Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return electronically using available tax software products." So this isn't an IRS limitation, but a TurboTax one.

Worse is that there isn't a clear message in TurboTax desktop to say why it can't be done. It just won't let you put in today's date as the date signature. It should just simply say that TurboTax lacks the ability to do it.

Amended Return Frequently Asked Questions | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)

[xmasbaby0]

@Click Sorry that you are disappointed, but that is the reality.   A 2020 amended return cannot be  e-filed from TurboTax.   Only certain paid tax pros can still e-file an amended 2020 return---if you want to have it e-filed you can pay a tax professional to do that for you.   Otherwise, your amended 2020 return will need to be printed, signed and mailed to the IRS.

 Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Even during “normal” times it takes about four months for the IRS to process an amended return.  During the pandemic and due to the severe backlog at the IRS it is taking much longer—six months or more for many amended returns.  Do not expect quick results from amending.  When the IRS issues a refund for an amended return it will be by check.  They do not make direct deposits for refunds for amended returns.  You can watch for information here:

https://www.irs.gov/Filing/Individuals/Amended-Returns-(Form-1040-X)/Wheres-My-Amended-Return-1

[Click]

Fortunately, the amendment to the return was a very simple one related to an IRA distribution. The change had no impact to any 1040 entries, income, or tax liability. So they can take as long as they'd like to process it.