Can't find my e-filed 2024 tax return when I need to amend. Beware of Turbotax software updates!!!

[Frantakayama]

I e-filed my 2024 federal and state tax returned in early Feb using desktop Turbotax Premier I got from Costco. Both are accepted in a couple of hours. It was all good until I received Schwab's 1099 forms on my brokage account with them. Before I filed, I did check Schwab and it showed there was no tax form. Since I also don't recall that I did any transactions myself in the account in 2024, I went ahead and filed my tax returns. However, a couple of days ago, Schwab issued some 1099 INT, DIV, and B, which would reduce about $100 federal refund and add $1 I owe to my state. I had to amend my tax returns.

I reopened my Turbotax software and it popped a window saying software updates. I just allowed the software to update. Then, the tragedy came. Now, the software can't find my filed returns (actually nothing at all, it's brand new!!!). I did several thorough searches on my hard drive for .tax2024 file. Nothing!!! I saved the original e-filed tax forms as PDF files on my cloud storage. I tried to let Turbotax import the PDF, and it didn't work after many tries even though the software says it CAN read Turbotax generated PDF. Frustrating!!!

OK. Fine! I did the amend function by inputting all data again. It generated 1040X for me but no state amended tax forms were generated (I assume $1 extra doesn't worth it?). Yet, Turbotax doesn't allow me to e-file my amended federal tax forms, saying I didn't e-file with Turbotax on the original filing. However, when I close the software and reopen it, it actually can show the status of my original e-filed federal and state tax returns as 'accepted'. In other words, somehow Turbotax does know I e-filed with them and the status is 'accepted', but the software still doesn't let me e-file my amended federal tax forms saying I didn't e-filed the original tax returns with them...

It's so frustrating to 1) lose the original .tax2024 file due to the software updates, 2) had to input all data again, and 3) not allowed to e-file amended federal tax forms.

For other users, save your .tax2024 file on cloud before any Turbotax software updates! 

For Turbotax customer service, can you help me fix my problem and efile my amended forms?

[MonikaK1]

Since you e-filed with TurboTax, but didn't use your original data file, TurboTax recognizes it as a new return. Please see this help article for suggestions as to how to locate the data file. If you need more assistance, see this help article and this one for instructions on how to contact TurboTax customer support depending on which product you are using.

If you are preparing an amended return, check first to be certain that your original return has been processed: refund received or payment processed, before starting to amend.

See this article and this one for more information on filing an amended return with TurboTax.

For future reference: 

If your financial institution is a TurboTax 1099 Import Partner, you would likely have been able to import your 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-OID, 1099-R, 1099-NEC, and 1099-MISC (without entries in boxes 8 or 10) by January 31, 2025, and likely have been able to import your 1099-B and 1099-MISC (with entries in boxes 8 or 10) by February 15, 2025.

However, if your brokerage issues a consolidated tax statement with several types of 1099s, which is common, you might not have been able to import any of your 1099s until February 15, 2025. 

If you can find out from your broker whether the statements are going to be coming out in phases, it is probably better to wait to import and file your return until the final statement comes out. This is generally an issue with way the statements are presented rather than a software issue.

When importing, make sure TurboTax and Windows are both updated, and temporarily disable all anti-virus software (including modem).  Make sure your broker does not require you to allow 'third party access', which you may enable in your broker account, if this applies. Some users reported that disabling security software solved the issue.

[tlopoii4]

I'm now having the same issue, and can't seem to find any help from Turbotax...

[BrittanyS]

Try the steps in this article to help locate previous TurboTax files.  If you still can't locate your files, please respond to this post:

• How do I find my tax data file?

@tlopoii4 

[Frantakayama]

I tried what you suggested but still couldn’t find my original and efiled .tax2024 file. It turned out that Charles Schwab made a mistake on my 1099. Now, I don’t think I need to amend my tax 2024 filing any more. However, this .tax file missing issue is still a problem if you don’t fix it for users. It had happened and will continue happening to others.

[MonikaK1]

I am glad you found that you don't need to amend your return after all.

The help article mentioned before provides the steps to locate your tax data file. Is it possible that you saved the data file in a different location on your computer?

If you are looking for what the IRS has in its records, you can request a Tax Return Transcript from the IRS. See here for more information and instructions. You can sign up for an online account, or request a transcript to be received by mail.

We at Intuit TurboTax want our users to be completely delighted with their experience using our products and services, and successful in their financial lives and businesses. 

Once you file your return, as long as the settings to receive communication from Intuit don’t block it, you will see a pop-up message or receive an email with a survey asking you about your experience. We encourage you to leave your notes and comments there. “Voice of the Customer” notes and comments are read and acted upon.

If you are using TurboTax Desktop, you can also leave feedback at the Final Steps tab:

@Frantakayama