I need to amend my 2012 return. I have the return and 2012 Turbo Tax software on my computer. However, the software says I didn't e-file my return so I can't amend it. I did file the return.

I have to point out that unless you filed your 2012 return late, you can no longer amend it. The statute of limitations for a 2012 timely filed tax return expired on 04/18/2016 (three years from the due date of the original return).

Here is a link to instructions for how to amend a 2013 return that you prepared using TurboTax software, which would likely work for the 2012 software as well, but that's the earliest date available to amend, and that expiration date is almost here (04/15/2017).

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2155005

The 3 year limitation is for refunds. I owe taxes - incorrectly reported a child's income. So, I still need to amend. So, how can I get turbotax to let me create the amendment?

The statute of limitations is also on the IRS ability to ASSESS tax. It's only extended if a substantial amount of income is unreported (25% of gross income). So even if you amend the return, the IRS could not process it.

The instructions for preparing the 2013 amendment would apply to you, where you would copy the file and amend using that. I'm not sure why you are unable to amend a return whether you e-filed or not, because you can even amend a return that you didn't file using TurboTax. What message are you seeing that is not allowing you to amend?

That I had to e-file before amending. I finally fixed that by going back through the steps to print. So, it is now allowing an amendment. The amount of unreported income was less than 1% of gross income - so they won't process anyway? Thanks for all the help!

Glad you got that resolved. It's not the experience that I have with the desktop product. No, the IRS won't assess/process your 2012 amendment because of the statute of limitations.