Can you e-file 2023 1040X federal amendment in 2026? (Conflicting info from TurboTax "experts")

[the_bob]

I'm working on an amendment, Form 1040X, using the TurboTax 2023 desktop app. According to TurboTax's article, "Can I e-file my federal Form 1040-X amended return?", it is possible to e-file. However, I'm observing the generic message "E-filing is Closed for the Season, You Can File by Mail".

• I'm not sure whether this applies to the original return, amended, state, or federal returns as the language is broad.
• If I continue to click through I get to the "Transmit Returns Now" view.
• I've received conflicting info from TurboTax "experts" using the chat support feature. On March 23, 2026 one said I can e-file federal while on April 8, 2026 a second person said I must print and mail federal.

[CatinaT1]

Generally you should be able to efile an amendment, however, there's a chance your return can't be e-filed based on your unique situation. If this happens, you'll need to print and mail your tax return.

Can I e-file my federal Form 1040-X amended return?

[the_bob]

Thank you for the reply! I'm receiving conflicting information from the TurboTax desktop app.

• I'm observing the generic message "E-filing is Closed for the Season, You Can File by Mail".
• If I continue to click through I get to the "Transmit Returns Now" view. (See screenshots in the original post)

[CatinaT1]

Will it let you transmit? If you can transmit it electronically, go for it. But if it doesn't work you just need to paper file it.

[the_bob]

I haven't attempted to transmit. My concern is that it shows as transmitted in the frontend and is not accepted by the IRS.

For state I found my state's documentation saying it needs to be submitted by mail and the TurboTax desktop frontend also shows the transmit button which validates my concern.

[CatinaT1]

I'm confused. You haven't transmitted the amendment but it shows as transmitted? Where does it show transmitted? It is showing the original 2023 as transmitted?

I understand the conflicting statements and there is nothing I can do about that. Amendments are finicky. Sometimes you can efile then, sometimes you can't and I have not figured out any rhyme or reason for why that is. I would say to try and transmit and see if it works. Even with an amendment you will get an acceptance or reject email. 

[the_bob]

> You haven't transmitted the amendment but it shows as transmitted?

• The original 2023 returns have been transmitted successfully in 2024
• I have not attempted to transmit the amended 2023 federal return yet due to not knowing if I'll be properly updated if the transmit fails. Good to know there's an error message and not a false positive.

Going to paper file out of caution.

[fanfare]

" I have not figured out any rhyme or reason for why that is."

Are you saying that some filers have e-Filed a two-years-prior 1040-X? or one-year-prior ?

As an employee, is there no way for you to determine whether this is supported or not.?

@CatinaT1 

[majax · Accepted solution]

I just spent 4 hours on the phone with 4 different agents and they identified that it was a bug in the intuit e-filing server. The problem is that it will force you to put a date that is within the tax period of the prior year that you are e-filing for as your signature date (which is wrong because you're e-filing this year not then) and if you comply and give it an old date then the e-filing fails saying that it's too old. At this point we have no other recourse than to print and file by mail even though it's been confirmed multiple times by different agents and on the IRS' website, that it should be possible to e-file up to 3 times amended returns for the 3 prior tax years. This is extremely upsetting and has already wasted countless hours of my time. And now I'm gonna have to pay to make sure the filing by mail is delivered properly. Also a few tips for anyone in this situation:

- You can e-file an amended return for any of the 3 prior years on the TuboTax website but it will only let you do it once so don't mess it up!

- And very importantly, you need to use the CURRENT YEAR's IP PIN to file your prior year amended returns!
- Lastly, if you don't want to send a check for thousands of dollars in the mail (I recommend you don't), you can pay online via the IRS's website.

Good luck to you all.

TT has let us all down this year... What a shame.