2020 Return Amendment

[dsb668]

Before realizing that Form 1040X would not be available until March 25, 2021, I proceeded with making changes to a copy of the returns (Fed & CA) that I had filed and had been accepted.  When the 1040X becomes available will I have to repeat the process of making the needed changes or will these changes be incorporated into the 1040X automatically?  Will there be additional steps I have to take such as providing explanation of the amendments?

[SweetieJean]

You must first UNDO all the changes that you made, and put the original return back to exactly what it was when you filed it.  When you amend, the 1040-X asks about changes you wish to make, and prepares a completely separate form for those.  And yes, you will have to explain the changes. Here are some examples:

o  Forgot to claim a late arriving W-2.

o  Added overlooked medical expenses.

o  Corrected mistyped 1099-R.

o  Deleted a dependent.

[dsb668]

Thank you for the reply.  It's not quite what I hoped to hear, but it sounds reasonable.  Lesson learned:  Don't be too quick to file and then find you need to amend.  It's a pain.