Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Jun 5, 2019 4:59:28 PM

How do I delete a "filed" (printed but not filed) return, so that I can go back and make changes or start over?

0 6 4512
1 Best answer
New Member
Jun 5, 2019 4:59:29 PM

By choosing the Print and Mail option, turbotax 'thinks' that the return is completed, but if you don't mail it then it is not submitted and you can make changes.

On the Tax Home page, under Your tax returns & documents, click "Add a State".

This allows you to edit the return by clicking the Federal or State option on the left hand side.

Since turbotax 'thinks' the return was mailed, under Tax Tools, "Clear and Start Over" will NOT work.

You will have to make changes and re-print the tax return to mail in. It is likely that turbotax will not let you e-file.

In order to completely clear and start over to be able to e-file, you would need to create a new account with a different email address.

-This info was provided by turbotax customer support to me, the one who was impatient in clicking through the return to see the printed forms to check for errors, then got locked out of the return.

6 Replies
New Member
Jun 5, 2019 4:59:29 PM

By choosing the Print and Mail option, turbotax 'thinks' that the return is completed, but if you don't mail it then it is not submitted and you can make changes.

On the Tax Home page, under Your tax returns & documents, click "Add a State".

This allows you to edit the return by clicking the Federal or State option on the left hand side.

Since turbotax 'thinks' the return was mailed, under Tax Tools, "Clear and Start Over" will NOT work.

You will have to make changes and re-print the tax return to mail in. It is likely that turbotax will not let you e-file.

In order to completely clear and start over to be able to e-file, you would need to create a new account with a different email address.

-This info was provided by turbotax customer support to me, the one who was impatient in clicking through the return to see the printed forms to check for errors, then got locked out of the return.

Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 4:59:32 PM

How do I clear and start over?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/4248526

New Member
Jun 5, 2019 4:59:33 PM

This only appears to work if you haven't finished the return. I chose to Print the return, and it now shows that I filed it and I don't see a way to delete it??

Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 4:59:34 PM

If you pressed the "Transmit" button then it is just like dropping it in the mail - it is gone.   With any luck it will reject and you can make changes.   If it accepts then follow the steps below.

You can check the status and if it says "pending" then you did indeed file it.

The IRS will not accept (or reject) returns until Jan 28.

To amend your 2018 tax return:

-- First, *wait* to see if your return has been accepted or rejected by the IRS or state. DO NOT do anything until you receive the accept or reject e-mail.

-- If rejected, you can correct and re-send your return.

-- If accepted you should *wait* until your return has been processed and you receive your refund or conformation that any tax due has been paid. (If you file an amended return while you first return is being processed it can cause extended delays for both returns if two returns are in the system at the same time). In addition, if the IRS makes any change on your original return, you might end up having to amend the amendment – a sticky process that can take a year or more).

-- Then you can start the amend process.

-- Amended returns can only be mailed - allow 8-12 weeks - can take up to 16 weeks (4 months) for processing.

See this TurboTax FAQ for help with amending:

<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894381-how-to-amend-change-or-correct-a-return-you-already-filed">https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894381-how-to-amend-change-or-correct-a-return-you-already-filed</a>

You can check the status of your amended return here but allow 3 weeks after filing for it to show up:
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/wheres-my-amended-return">https://www.irs.gov/filing/wheres-my-amended-return</a>

New Member
Jun 5, 2019 4:59:36 PM

I did not e-file, I printed the return to PDF to mail and did not mail anything. Turbotax has not submitted anything to the IRS, so I need to delete the return in Turbotax to start over and make changes. I can't amend a return that wasn't filed, but I don't see a way to delete the return in Turbotax? I'll be calling their customer service today to have them do it for me.

Returning Member
Oct 14, 2019 9:03:15 PM

I'm having the same issue. Did you get this resolved?