Accidentally filed 2018 taxes as 2019 taxes

[tiredoftomorrow5694]

I accidentally filed my 2018 taxes as 2019 taxes in the TurboTax app because it didn't specify which year I was filing. I didn't have any income in 2019. I barely had any income in 2018 so I wasn't required to file. But since the stimulus check bill passed, I knew I needed to update my address with the IRS so I could receive my stimulus check faster because I have recently moved. So I dug through some folders and found my 2018 return. My plan was to file my 2018 taxes so the IRS had an up to date address and routing number. It says my federal refund was accepted by the IRS. What do I need to do?

[xmasbaby0]

The return you filed was accepted?  Really?  Check your e-file status:

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

The first email you get back after you e-file only says your return has been sent--you get another email later if it was accepted.  It might really have been rejected--which means it did not go to the IRS.

Really--if you put 2018 income on a 2019 return, that was a mistake and it is going to be a problem when the IRS tries to match it up with records sent in by the employer.  We cannot know if the IRS will catch your mistake in time to cause a problem with your stimulus check.

If it turns out the return you filed was rejected, post back for help so we can tell you how to file a 2018 return correctly.  But the software you need  for a 2018 return is not free.   If you want to try preparing a 2018 return with that 2018 W-2----which is what you should have done---you can use the paper forms and prepare it by hand to mail in:

2018 Form 1040, Schedules and Instructions

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2018.pdf
 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2018.pdf
2018 Tax and EIC Tables https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040tt--2018.pdf

IRS 2018 Schedules 1 thru 6 (only if needed)
Sch 1 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s1--2018.pdf
Sch 2 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2018.pdf
Sch 3 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s3--2018.pdf
Sch 4 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s4--2018.pdf
Sch 5 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s5--2018.pdf
Sch 6 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s6--2018.pdf

[tiredoftomorrow5694]

Ok so here's an update. My refund was APPROVED by the IRS surprisingly. The money hasn't been deposited yet but it will in a couple days. When the money is deposited, what do I need to do?

[VictoriaD75]

You have to amend using 2019 info, follow the steps below:

1. Log into your TurboTax account
2. Choose the tax year that you wish to amend
3. Click Amend
4. Make any necessary changes using your 2019 documents

Keep in mind that when you are amending, the refund tracker monitors the difference from your original filing to the amended return. It does not include any original refund or balance due. If you are claiming any previously unclaimed credits, you will see the difference as an additional refund amount. Or, you could see a balance due.

To complete a 2018 return, you will need to purchase and download the software applicable to tax year. You can find the 2018 software in the link below.

TurboTax Previous Year Products

[tiredoftomorrow5694]

But I don't have any info because I didn't actually have any income in 2019.

[DeanM15]

Then you need to replace any information in the 2019 return with $0's. The 1040X should then show that you need to pay back the refund that you received. 

You will need to wait until the IRS has accepted your original return before filing the amendment. If you are to receive a refund, wait until you receive it before filing the amended return.

For TurboTax Online, simply login to your account and select “Amend a return that was filed and accepted.” If you used our CD/download product, sign back into your return and select “Amend a filed return.

You can find out more about amending a return here.

[tiredoftomorrow5694]

So TurboTax helps me fill out a 1040x? 

How would I go about making the payment to the IRS?

[tiredoftomorrow5694]

so should i include my 2018 w-2 forms with my 2019 1040x form to support my claims?

[JohnW222]

No, don’t attach the W-2 forms to your 2019 return, or include any of the data from them on the return. 

When filling out Form 1040-X, you’ll have the opportunity to explain the changes you’re making.

[Amazin]

I accidentally did the samething My refund was rejected.... I had already filed  my 2019 and I received  my state return...... Due to  The stimulus package I wanted  to update my account and  routing number so I file my 2018..... i need help what should  I  do 

[JohnW222]

@Amazin

If you’re saying that you filed your 2018 tax return using one or more 2019 Forms W-2, you need to amend your 2018 return to remove the 2019 W-2 data.

Please see the TurboTax Help article "How to amend (change or correct) a return you already filed" for instruction on how to amend your previously-filed tax return.

You should wait to file your amended return until you get any refund you may have coming from your original return.  Even if your original return has been accepted by the IRS, it's still possible that the IRS could change your refund or balance due on that return. 

If I’m reading your question correctly, it seems that you also had your tax year 2019 federal return rejected.  If this is correct, please see the TurboTax Help article "How do I fix a rejected return?" for guidance, and the article "What does Rejected mean?" for a bit more in-depth explanation.

[xmasbaby0]

@Amazin We are not certain what you did.   If your 2019 return has already been filed and accepted, that is what the IRS is going to use to send your stimulus money.---they will not use 2018     If that 2019 return did not have your banking information on it, you can use an IRS portal that should open later this week to put in your current banking direct deposit information:

Please read what it says on the right hand side where it says “Filers: Get Your Payment”

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/how-will-the-stimulus-package-impact-me/00/1393859

Filing a late 2018 return will not affect how you get your stimulus check, since they already have 2019 and will use that.

If you tried to use the online program to file a 2018 return  --- after already filing a 2019 return --- the 2018 return was on the wrong software AND you already filed 2019 so any other return with your SSN on it would be rejected.  So they do not have your 2018 return no matter what you did online.

The correct way now to file a 2018 return:

Online preparation and e-filing for 2018 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

If you need to prepare a return for 2016, 2017, or 2018 you can purchase and download desktop software to do it, then print, sign,  and mail the return(s)

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Note:  The desktop software you need to prepare the prior year return must be installed/downloaded to a full PC or Mac.  It cannot be used on a mobile device.

If you are getting a refund, there is not a penalty for filing past the deadline.  If you owe taxes, the interest/penalties will be calculated by the IRS based on how much you owe and when they receive your return and payment. The IRS will bill you for this; it will not be calculated by TurboTax.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900990-how-do-i-file-a-prior-year-tax-return

[gjoanna795_]

I did the same thing accidentally. It says its been accepted by the IRS once approved they will send my refund. Will I have any problems? I filed with my W2 from 2018 then realized it said I filed my 2019 taxes. 

[VolvoGirl]

You now have to Amend that return to be for 2019.  You have to delete the 2018 info and enter 2019 info

How to amend an Online return

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/amending/help/how-do-i-amend-my-turbotax-online-return/00/

Amended returns can only be MAILED not efiled. 

Then if you still need to do 2018.  To do 2018 you have to buy the Desktop Download program here

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/     

Or If you have a simple return You can fill out the blank forms for free.

Here is the IRS 2018 Form 1040

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2018.pdf

And instructions  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2018.pdf

2018 Tax and EIC Tables https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040tt--2018.pdf

IRS 2018  Schedules 1 thru 6 (only if needed)

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s1--2018.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2018.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s3--2018.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s4--2018.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s5--2018.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s6--2018.pdf

Don’t forget your state.  And you will have to print and mail your returns.  So be sure to attach copies of your W2s and any 1099s that have withholding on them.  You have to mail federal and state in separate envelopes because they go to different places.  Get a tracking number from the post office when you mail them for proof of filing.