How Can I Ensure I Only E-File My NY State Amended Return Without Triggering a Federal Amendment Submission?

[nirvanalangiou]

Hi,

I have already submitted my 2022–2024 federal amended returns (Forms 1040-X) by mail with the assistance of my CPA. Those federal amendments have been completed and mailed — I do not need to re-file or e-file any federal amendments.

Now I need to prepare and file the corresponding New York State amended returns for those same years. I have historically used TurboTax to file my original returns, so TurboTax has my prior-year data on file.

It appears that TurboTax allows e-filing of New York amended returns for 2023 and 2024. However, to generate the correct New York amended figures (especially where NY AGI flows from federal AGI), the system seems to require updating the federal numbers first so the state calculations can be accurate.

My concern is:

If I update the federal numbers inside TurboTax to reflect the amended figures, how can I ensure that I only e-file the New York amended return and do NOT accidentally trigger or transmit a federal amended return for those years?

Is there a specific setting or filing sequence I should follow to prevent the federal return from being submitted again?

Thank you for your guidance. Appreciated. 

[LeticiaF1]

If you only need to amend your New York return you can select to only amend the state return and efile it.  To do this in TurboTax:

1. Select Amend (change) return, then Amend using TurboTax Online.
2. On the screen OK, let's get a kickstart on your 2025 amended return, select The IRS or state sent me a notice (this will allow you to amend only your state return without making changes to your federal) and Continue.
3. On the next screen, select Something else and Continue.
4. On the screen Tell us which 2025 return(s) you want to amend, select 2025 state.
5. Continue until the Let's work on your state taxes screen. Select Amend next to your state return, and continue through the screens to make your amendments.

Can I e-file my amended state return?

How do I amend my state tax return?

[nirvanalangiou]

Hi LeticiaF1,

Thank you for your answer.

I am using the TurboTax Desktop (Mac) version to prepare amended returns, and I would like to confirm something clearly before proceeding.

On the “Select the Return You're Ready to E-file” screen (see first snapshot), I choose:

• Do not e-file my federal amended return now, I’ll do it later
• E-file my New York amended return now

From your experience, can I fully rely on the system to transmit only the New York amended return and not transmit the federal amended return when I select “Do not e-file” for federal?

I would like to e-file my NY amended return (since NY encourages e-filing when available), but I need to be absolutely certain that the federal amended return will not be transmitted unless I complete the federal e-signature step and explicitly authorize transmission by E-signature.

My concern is that if, due to a system glitch or hidden mechansim, the federal amended return were accidentally transmitted, it could create a conflict with my previously mailed federal amended return that is currently pending and has not yet been processed by the IRS.

For that reason, I would greatly appreciate clear confirmation that selecting “Do not e-file my federal amended return now” and NOT seeing IRS e-signaure page (see final snpashot) fully prevents any federal transmission in the desktop version.

Kindly help confirm this so that I may proceed with the NY e-file with confidence. Many thanks for your answer. 

[LeticiaF1]

Yes, if you select the options of "Do not e-file my federal amended return now, I’ll do it later" and "E-file my New York amended return now," TurboTax will only efile your New York amended return.  

@nirvanalangiou