Why can't I E-File a 2019 amended return when the IRS and Turbotax chatbot say I can?

[vaca]

I need to amend my 2019 taxes and I was about to print them out when I decided to check one more time by asking the chatbot...which told me I *can* e-file amended tax returns for 2019.  The IRS agrees: "If you need to amend your 2019 or 2020 Forms 1040 or 1040-SR you can now file the Form 1040- X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return electronically using available tax software products."

So is there a reason I have to file manually?

This is an issue because the error in 2019 is causing me to have my 2020 be rejected.  If I can e-file I can save  a few days of processing time.

[VolvoGirl]

Don't know about Turbo Tax letting you efile a 2019 Amended return yet this year.  You could from August to Oct 15.  

But what is the error causing 2020 to reject?  If you amend that won't fix any errors causing the reject.  Is it rejecting for the AGI?

[vaca]

I posted about it in a separate thread.  We have been paying the first time homebuyer credit but sold the home.  We should have filed form 5405 which ended up showing we didn't have to repay the remainder...but missed that.  So we owe nothing but the IRS thinks we do so we can't file 2020 taxes without the payment, which we don't need to make.  Processing the amended return with the forms will wipe out the error...but..if it takes 16 weeks to process...no good.

Shaving a few days off the paper part by E-Filing would be great.

We're thinking of a Volvo!

[fanfare]

Despite what you might infer the IRS is saying on their website.

E-File of amended returns for individuals is only available for the current tax year and will disappear Oct 15th along with regular 1040 e-File.

[Critter-3]

Some professional tax pros like me can still  efile 18,19 & 20 returns and efile 19 & 20 amended returns however most DIY programs only allow efiling of the current tax year.   So what the IRS says is true however not all income tax programs support prior year efiling and they are not required to do so.