When I go to amend my return, Turbo Tax now says I owe (before I enter any more info)

[michaelgwelch]

Two weeks ago I realized I needed to amend my returns as I had forgot to make IRA contributions. So I started the process to amend my return. I learned I'd be getting back (these are made up numbers) $1000 from federal and $300 from state.

I didn't finish amending at that time. Later when I really wanted to file the amended return I started by canceling the one that was in progress so that I could be sure I was starting with fresh data.

Then when I went to start amending my return again it said I'd be getting back $1000 from federal and $0 from state. And it still had in the information I had previously entered. So the "Cancel Amend" didn't delete any information. But it wasn't calculating state return property. 

So I deleted the IRA contributions and it then stated I would be getting an addition $0 from federal (expected) but it also said I now owed $100 to state (not expected). So I cancel the amendment again trying to get back to the number I filed with.

Now when I start to create an amended return it starts with the fact that I owe money to the state.

I feel like this is a bug in Turbo Tax and I need support from them. It's not updating my state forms correctly.

[michaelgwelch]

I feel like if they could just reset my return back to the way it was the day I filed then everything would be okay. I don't know why when I cancel the amended return it retains all of the information which appears to then mess everything up.

[michaelgwelch]

I can see the issue. Line 35 of my WI State return is incorrect. 

Line 35 is labelled

"AMENDED RETURN ONLY–Amounts previously refunded (see page 30)"

But it is not putting in the previously refunded amount. It's using the value of my previous refund + my additional refund. So that's why the it says I should get a 0 refund. (For example: let's say I previously received $300 and now I'm owed $100. It's entering $400 on this line instead of $300)

So I need to be able to manually edit this line I guess. Or "reset" my state return.

[fanfare]

when your federal amended return goes through,

the $400 in your example will be correct.

[michaelgwelch]

Thanks @fanfare but I don't see how that could be. I was able to see the forms that Turbo Tax was going to submit to the state of Wisconsin and they instruct the state that it owes me nothing, (because that line 35 is wrong, therefore the amount due to me for this amended return is $0)

If I can't resolve via filing online, I guess I'll need to download the forms, transcribe and correct to paper forms and mail them in. 

[michaelgwelch]

Is there not a way to speak to someone from Intuit to get support? I've used this product (or the installable version) for over 20 years and have always liked it; but this is the first time I really need support and I'm really surprised that I can't find a way to contact them.

[michaelgwelch]

I figured out how to contact Turbo Tax. It's very confusing because it looks just like the community "ask a question" form. So I skipped it a dozen times before. This time I noticed something about getting a number to call them. So for others who are wondering the same thing I actually got through to first line support and am now on hold waiting for them to contact someone form tech support. (Hoping I don't get dropped and have to start all over again. I got dropped the first time I called in after explaining my problem)

[michaelgwelch]

I've never had to amend a return before and I don't recommend it via Turbo Tax. After talking to support my return is now worse.

1.  I was told that if I had Live (?) which I don't I could have a CPA help me. But I was certain I didn't need a CPA. This wasn't a CPA issue. This was a product support issue. I knew exactly which line I had to change.

2. After explaining that, the support person continued to try to help me. She asked if I had tried to delete any of the forms to get the return to reset. I said no. So I was instructed to try that. I noticed that the page says "this is not recommend" and I can see why. Now my amended return is in worse shape. Now I owe money according to the calculations.

There doesn't appear to be any way to reset your data back to what it was when you filed. If there was, my problems would be over. 

I think the only way for me to resolve this now is to use the forms that Turbo Tax generated for me, correct Line 35 and all the lines that depend on it and mail in my return via snail mail.

Does anyone know if there is a way to "reset your return" to what was last filed?

[fanfare]

there is no way to reset your return like that.

the advertised method is to undo changes manually.

Worse, if you open TurboTax with an update and it changes your return, your original return is gone and there is no way to get it back.

The UCE tax law in midstream is an example.

Always make a paper copy of your completed return before or immediately after you file, for your records.

It is best to review the paper copy before file.

I violated my own rule and submitted without printing it first.

Now I see there was an error, fortunately, a minor one..