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Returning Member
posted Oct 14, 2019 7:47:01 PM

I printed my return (haven't mailed or filed yet) and realized I made a mistake. I would like to start over.

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21 Replies
Level 15
Oct 14, 2019 7:56:36 PM

You can get back into your return by following the instructions in the TurboTax FAQ below.  Since you haven't yet e-filed or mailed, you can make any corrections you need to.  Then proceed on to the FILE section and then either print or e-file.

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/my-tax-return/help/how-can-i-access-my-return-after-i-ve-e-filed-or-printed-it/00/27591

 

Once you've made payment for your TurboTax Online program, you won't be able to use the "Clear and Start Over" feature.  Since you have printed your return, you obviously have made payment.  You'll need to just make corrections as needed before filing.

 

 

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Returning Member
Oct 14, 2019 8:28:33 PM

I don't want to amend my return, I just want to start over from scratch.

I have not filed the return yet, why is this so difficult?

Returning Member
Oct 14, 2019 8:46:50 PM

Once you pay TurboTax and print your return, TurboTax treats this as if you've already filed it. All I did was print it. 

Level 15
Oct 14, 2019 8:51:45 PM

You don't have to amend it.  You can go back and change anything you want if you haven't efiled or mailed it yet.  But once you pay the fees you can't clear and start over, unless you want to start over in a new account and pay the fees again.

 

 Click on Add a State to let you back into your retun.  Then you can make changes and print again or change to efile.

Level 15
Oct 14, 2019 8:53:01 PM

@geedub66 

You can open it back up and edit anything as VolvoGirl mentioned above. 

 

If it's extensively messed up, and you really want to start from scratch, you can ask TurboTax if they will furnish you the desktop software to install on your computer.  Then you can start over as many times as necessary.

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

 

Extended hours tomorrow October 15

 5AM-9PM Pacific (8AM-12 Midnight Eastern).

 

Or you can ask them if they will let you use another account and provide a service code.

Returning Member
Oct 14, 2019 8:59:12 PM

This does not work. I have tried it just as you describe, but then it requires me to give a reason why I am amending my return. So it does treat this as an amended return.

 

I don't get why this is so difficult. By going back and making the "corrections" the numbers aren't adding up. I just want to start over. I guess I'll have to wait until 5 AM tomorrow morning and call.....

Level 15
Oct 14, 2019 9:27:11 PM

You must  have clicked the Amend button to go back in.  So you need to cancel the amended return.  How to delete an Amended return in the Online version

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/amending/help/how-do-i-cancel-or-undo-an-amended-return-in-turbotax-online/00/26315

 

Then you can go back in by clicking on Add a State.

New Member
Mar 16, 2021 2:44:28 AM

I made the same mistake. did you ever figure out how to start all over again without having to pay all over again?

Expert Alumni
Mar 16, 2021 3:24:32 AM

To access your tax return after you've e-filed it or printed it as part of mailing your return to the IRS:

  1. Sign in TurboTax.
  2. Select Tax Home in the left menu.
  3. Scroll down to Your tax returns & documents.
  4. Select 2020, and then select Add a State (you're not actually adding a state, this just gets you back in).

You'll now be in your return.

Remember:

  • If you've already mailed your return to the IRS, don't e-file it. This can cause problems with the government, including refund delays.
  • If you've already filed your return and you make changes, these changes will be transferred to next year's return if you don't undo them and your information may not be accurate.
  • If you need to change a return you've already filed (for example, you forgot to include a form with your return), you'll have to amend your return.

Now that your in your return you can Clear and Start over

 

  1. On the menu bar on the left that shows.
    1. My Info
    2. Federal
    3. State
    4. Review
    5. File
  2. Select Tax Tools
  3. On the drop down select Tools
  4. On the Pop-Up menu select Clear and Start Over
  5. Caution:  Be sure that this is what you want to do.
  6. Select Yes
  7. This will complete the process.

Clear and Start over

 

@reya27

New Member
Mar 16, 2021 3:37:16 AM

I tried to do that but ended up with a message that says the following : 

 

"Once you register your tax return, or pay any TurboTax fees, we can no longer clear and start over."

 

I did pay the turbotax fees and printed out the document. It also said that I had to mail mine in so I know its not complete. Do I have to wait to amend this? Or pay another fee to start all over again?

 

Intuit Alumni
Mar 16, 2021 9:23:58 AM

Please reach out to TurboTax Customer Support to see what your available options are.  Please visit the Contact Us page and select your product to get you to the right person.

@reya27

Level 15
Mar 16, 2021 3:37:11 PM

@reya27 Please help me understand.  You've paid for your TurboTax program and printed your return.  But you want to make changes to the return that hasn't yet been e-filed or mailed?

Level 15
Mar 16, 2021 3:45:14 PM

@reya27   

If you haven't efiled or mailed your return you can go back in and change anything you want.  Do not click on Amend!

 

Click on Add a State to let you back into your return.

  1. From Tax Home (the first screen you see after you sign in), scroll down to Your tax returns & documents. You may have to select Show to open the drop down.
  2. Select 2020, and then select Add a State (you're not actually adding a state, this is just the workaround).

 

Then when you are ready to file you can try to switch to efile.

  https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/e-file/help/how-do-i-change-from-mail-to-e-file-in-turbotax-online/00/26985

New Member
Apr 2, 2021 8:03:20 AM

how do I start again after i downloaded my return.  I want to cancel and start over

Intuit Alumni
Apr 2, 2021 9:38:15 AM

To clear and start over, please follow the instructions here @sue need help

 

If you have already printed, it may not allow you to clear and start over. 

 

If you need additional assistance, please click here to contact customer support. 

Level 15
Apr 2, 2021 9:39:44 AM

@sue need help   If  it doesn't let you clear and you haven't paid or filed you could just start a new account. Online is only good for 1 return per account. But you can use the same email address for 5 accounts. How to start another return in the Online version
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-start-another-return-in-turbotax-online/00/25596

 

New Member
May 17, 2021 5:46:13 AM

I printed out my return using turbo premier but then found an error. I want to start over again. How can I do it?

 

Level 15
May 17, 2021 6:24:16 AM

@lanhtran14 I don't think you can completely start over in this instance since you've already paid your fees.  Please contact TurboTax Customer Support during business hours using the info I'm linking below.

 

How do I contact TurboTax? 

New Member
Nov 5, 2021 2:11:47 PM

I need to make corrections and you ask me to purchase again why i did not finish filling [email address removed] 

[phone number removed] I paid $80.00 dollars I will cuncel you out if i donot get to finish filing

\

Level 15
Nov 5, 2021 2:15:55 PM

If you paid for the Online version you can ask for the Desktop download program to finish.   Contact Customer Service
5am-5pm Pacific Time
Monday-Friday
https://support.turbotax.intuit.com/contact/

What is the Turbo Tax phone number
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

How to finish a prior year online return

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-finish-a-prior-year-return-that-i-started-in-turbotax-online/00/26322

 

You will first need to download the tax data file from Online.  It will end in .tax2020.  You can download the tax file for free.  Then you need to install the Desktop program.

 

After you get the program installed the first thing to do before you open your tax return .tax file is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to FILE - NEW).

 

New Member
Apr 12, 2025 3:37:25 PM

This is the correct response, verified April 11, 2025, while working with a conscientious TurboTax supervisor.    The issue I needed to correct arose from a glitch in how TurboTax managed a state-specific property tax credit, not discernible until after payment is made and documents downloaded.   By following the supervisor's instructions to click on "Add Another State,"  the issue was managed within three minutes.    Now ... a word of warning.  The first customer service rep and supervisor told me I had to file the incorrect return, wait until IRS accepted it, then file an amended return to correct "your error."   Not only was that absurd, but I wasn't very keen to take their advice to knowingly file an inaccurate return.    Then the customer service rep said she'd send a link so that I could have fees refunded, presumably to start over again and pay again.    The link stated that no refund would be made after payment was made and documents downloaded.