I filed my California Return with my 1098-T and it adjusted my Federal refund, but Turbo Tax did not update. Do I have to amend my Federal Return for the refund?

[andrewbui]

I submitted my Federal return without my 1098-T at first. However, new information came to light and I realized I was able to claim it. On my California return, which I filed a week later, I entered in my 1098-T which changed the Federal Amount Owed to Federal Refund which is also reflected on the tax return I printed out. Does this mean I have to amend my federal return to receive the refund?

[JulieS]

Yes, you do have to amend your federal return. Once you e-file your return you aren't supposed to change it, unless you amend it. 

Unfortunately, you won't be able to amend your federal return until at least February 23 as that is the date it is expected to available in TurboTax.

When you are able to amend your return, you will need to start by restoring your return to the way it was when you filed it. In other words, delete your 1098-T. Once you numbers go back to what you filed the first time, you can start your amendment. Click here for more help with amending. 

[andrewbui]

Does that mean I have to delete the 1098-T on the federal return, amend it so that Turbo Tax can update my paperwork to mirror what it should look like and then reamend it with the 1098-T?

[RobertB4444]

No.  It means that you need to delete the 1098-T that you have currently added to the return BEFORE you amend the return.  You need to get the return back to the way that it was or the system will think that you already got the refund when you click the 'amend my return' button.

@andrewbui 

[andrewbui]

So unfortunately, this is my first time filing my own taxes and I panicked quite a bit for my amended return as well and submitted the 1040X without realizing that I hadn’t done those steps that involved removing the 1098-T first as stated. However, on my 1040X, it does state that I had originally paid money to the IRS and with the amended return now, it states that the IRS owes me money. 

My question is, with this amended 1040X that states the IRS owes me a refund with the 1098-T credit and my original tax return that I had submitted that states the amount I owe to the IRS without the 1098-T, does it matter that the 1040X was submitted with the “messed-up” return that states I was going to receive a refund? (Since the IRS has the original return without the 1098-T) Please advise if that doesn’t make sense and I can go further into depth about my situation.

[RobertB4444]

Sounds like it worked out.  Whatever you do DON"T SUBMIT ANOTHER ONE.  Wait for the IRS to contact you or issue you the refund that the amended return shows that you are due.  It's may take a while.  Be patient.

@andrewbui