Amending 2018 Return

[catwoman0129]

I understand the basics of filing an Amended tax return, but the problem is that the instructions provided by Intuit for calculating the new return are incomplete.  Under Item 4 in the instructions under "How do I amend my 2018 return in the TurboTax CD/Download software," it says....inside your program, search for amend and then click the Jump to link."  It seems to assume everyone knows where this "search" link is and how to get inside the program.  Wrong.  I have renamed the copy of my originally filed return and confirmed that there is now a copy of the original and a copy of the copy on my computer.  Why can't I just open the copy (entitled Amended) and proceed to make the needed adjustments to correct the original?  The original is still there.  I would be working in the Amended copy only.  This seems sensible, but Intuit has to make it convoluted and confusing.  Please unconfuse me.

[macuser_22]

That is exactally how you should do it.   Make a copy of the original and only wok on the copy to keep the original unchanged.

With TurboTax running use File and open tax return  to select the copy.

[catwoman0129]

Thank you for your prompt reply.  And thank you for confirming what common sense would dictate.  May I ask if you have done this yourself (had to amend a past return)?

[macuser_22]

I do it all the time on test returns.

[VolvoGirl]

You can also  find Amend under

Federal Taxes or Personal (for Home & Business)

Other Tax Situations

[VolvoGirl]

Oh FYI - you don't just make the changes in the Amend copy.  You have to actually start it by clicking on Amend.  

[catwoman0129]

Thank you for your reply, however, as I tried to explain in my question, there is no "amend" link.  Perhaps there is for the on-line version, but not in the CD version that I can find.

[catwoman0129]

Thank you.  It just makes sense, although another responder seems to disagree.

[VolvoGirl]

Disagree with what?  You still use the amend copy you made.  I just wanted to point out you just don't go in and change it.  You have to start amending by going through the amend section.

[catwoman0129]

Misunderstanding.  I wasn't disagreeing with you but merely pointing out to an earlier responder that your response seemed to disagree with their reply.

If you could explain where and how I am supposed to find the "amend" command/link, it would help.  I cannot find any such link anywhere in the drop-down boxes in the program, which is the logical place I would expect to find it.  So where is it?

[macuser_22 · Accepted solution]

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@catwoman0129 wrote:

If you could explain where and how I am supposed to find the "amend" command/link, it would help.  I cannot find any such link anywhere in the drop-down boxes in the program, which is the logical place I would expect to find it.  So where is it?

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Two ways.   Use the "Search Topics" box for "amend" or use the "Other Tax Situations", "Other Tax Forms" for amend as VolvoGirl said.

[Critter-3]

1. Open TurboTax.
2. Select Amend a filed return.
3. Select the return you want to amend, and follow the instructions to make your changes.
4. Now, make an "amend" copy your return by selecting Save As (Mac: select Duplicate) from the File menu. This preserves the originally-filed return.
5. Name the copy to distinguish it from the original, like 2020 Amended Smith B Form 1040 Return.
6. You should now be working inside the copy you'll be amending. Inside your program, search for amend and then click the Jump to link.
7. Select Continue on the We'll help you change (amend) your return screen.
8. On the following screen, Did you already file your return? select Yes, I've already filed my return and then select I need to amend my 2020 return.
9. Select Continue and then carefully follow the instructions to amend.

Don't worry if your refund meter drops to 0; this is normal. Your calculations will come out correctly in the end.

Finish and file your amendment according to the instructions. 

And the SEARCH   function is very common to most programs ... 

Or go to the amend in the  OTHER TAX SITUATIONS TAB ...

[catwoman0129 · Accepted solution]

THANK YOU!  Finally, someone who provides a FULL ANSWER to my dilemma.  I very much appreciate your taking the time to provide such a complete response.  That was really easy to find once you gave specific directions to the proper place in Turbo Tax to find the "Amend" option.  THANK YOU!

[waeck]

Totally agree with this comment.   The Amend search does nothing and didn't need a graphic to explain but was priceless - Thank You !

I'm assuming the Amended return will be a stand alone return of changed page only correct ???

Othere wise agree with above in that use the initial file and rename to new original and amend that to ensure continuity of records vs new original unless this file includes both the initial and amended forms.

THANKS AGAIN FOR THE GRAPHIC !