Amending tax return: amend return button does not work

[DoninGA]

@laura_borealis 

If you used the desktop CD/Download editions installed on your computer, the only copy of your tax data file and any PDF's will be on the computer where the return was created.  TurboTax does not store online any returns completed using the desktop editions.

If you used the TurboTax desktop editions to complete and file the 2023 tax return, then you need to start the TurboTax program for tax year 2023 on your computer.  Once the 2023 program is started Continue the tax return you want to amend.  When the tax return is opened -

Click on Federal Taxes (Personal using Home & Business)

Click on Other Tax Situations

Under Other Tax Forms

On Amend a return, click on the start button

[laura_borealis]

That works. Thank you!

[SameSameButDifferent]

I just want to add that I was not able at first to amend my 2023 taxes on TurboTax Desktop, despite buying the program because I use a Mac. In summary, it was impossible to amend my 2023 taxes on TurboTax online AND the Mac version of the TurboTax 2023 desktop.

Instead, I had to In to my sister-in-law’s PC 2023 TurboTax Desktop version and work remotely. Thank God for SILs. But honestly, trying to amend my 2023 TurboTax-filed return has easily been one of the worst user experiences I have ever encountered. Just deplorably bad. 

Basically, you can’t amend any TurboTax-filed return online before 2025 and you have to have the PC desktop version of the exact year you want to amend. Ridiculous! I plan on disseminating an account of my experience and sharing it with as many people as possible. This is basic UX, TurboTax!!

[MarilynG1]

Not sure why you were required to download a desktop version of your 2023 TurboTax, but generally, if you filed a prior year return using TurboTax Online, here's how to do an Amendment online:

• Log In: Sign in to the same TurboTax account you used to file the original return.
• Locate Return: On the "Tax Home" screen, scroll down to "Your tax returns & documents" and select the year you want to amend.
• Select Amend: Click on "Amend (change) return" and choose "Amend using TurboTax Online".
• Make Changes: The software will guide you through updating your income, deductions, or credits, which will automatically update the necessary Form 1040-X.
• File: Follow the instructions to file the amendment electronically (if available for that year and your return allows) or print and mail the document to the IRS. 

@SameSameButDifferent 

[SameSameButDifferent]

Oh, and I forgot to add, after spending more than 1.5 hours with my “expert”, he told me to go hire an accountant. Well done, TurboTax!

[SameSameButDifferent]

Not sure if I correctly this reply the first time, so I’m trying, again. I hope this information helps some of you.

@MarilynG1 
Your question is a great one! I will say that 3 out of the 4 “experts” I talked to gave me the same advice: telling me that the online amendment would not work. And it didn’t. With the 4th “expert” I talked to (for 90 minutes, grant you), we tried to amend my return online. After filling everything in, the online version provided me with (or saved) an edited  2023 1040 (NOT a 1040-X). I then, based on my “expert’s” instruction, had to go back and remove any of the edits I had made to my online 2023 tax return. 

Based on that experience, my “expert” then had me try to amend everything using the 2023 TurboTax Mac desktop version I bought, based on the second “expert” I had talked to. 

One of my many takeaways: TurboTax “experts” need to know TurboTax online and desktop versions of their product. 2 of the 4 people I talked to clearly did not.