I am on J1 Visa but I used Turbotax by mistake. What all needs to be done to file an amended return for the state and federal taxes?

[abhishek-s14]

Do I need to file state and federal taxes separately? Furthermore, can I use some online service(like sprintax) to get the new form filled. Also, how do I return the extra money(like cheque or something)?

[LinaJ2018]

Yes, you would need to file the federal and state separately.  If you are a nonresident on J-visa, you are required to file a Form 1040-NR.  If you have filed with TurboTax, you will need to file an amendment.  To amend from Form 1040 to 1040NR,  here are the instructions to amend:

As TurboTax does not support any nonresident tax forms, you are recommended to use our affiliated partner, Sprintax  to complete your Form 1040-NR.

1.  Download the Form 1040-X from IRS website ( see below).  On the front page of Form 1040-X, enter your name,                    current address, and social security number (SSN) or IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN)

2.  Do not enter any other information on page 1.  

3.  Do not complete Parts I or II on page 2 of Form 1040X.

4.  Enter in Part III the reason why you are filing Form 1040X.

5.  Complete a new Form 1040-NR by using Sprintax, see above.

6.  Across the top of the 1040-NR, write “Amended”

7.  Attach the new Form 1040NR to the back of Form 1040X

For more information, see:

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040x.pdf  - form

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040x.pdf  - instructions

page 5 under Residents and Nonresidents

[abhishek-s14]

Hey! Thanks for the reply. Do you know how to take care of the fact that I have already received the money and most probably after doing overall calculation I will be owing some amount to the government. Any suggestion on how to deal with that?

[abhishek-s14]

Also, do I need to send two 1040X forms as one would be for federal and other for state?

[dodan26]

Hello, 

I am a J1 student too, and  made the same mistake filing my tax return on TurboTax, and have noticed that recently. abhishek-s14, have you solved the problem already? How did you return the money or check to IRS? And what forms have you filled out? 

Thanks for answering! 

[user15985369]

Hello, do you need to send two 1040X forms as one would be for federal and other for state?

[Critter]

Yes ... you need to amend the fed & the state ... the fed is a 1040X and check with your state for the state amendment form. 

[missy11]

Thank you @LinaJ2018 for the information! It helps a lot!

Have some more questions below:

1. If I have already received the tax return $123 based on the mistaken 1040 form. Now, I amend with 1040-NR-EZ, and need to return $123 to IRS. In my 1040-X, how should I fill in the page 1 "Refund or Amount You Owe" Line 18-23? Still leave them blank as you said above?

2. I would like to pay the tax return $123 by credit card. Can I pay immediately or need to wait after the IRS accepts my amendment documents?

Thank you!

[SusanY1]

You can make the payment before you file the amended return, just be sure when you make the payment that it is designated as being for the correct year and tax form so that it will eventually match up with the amended return once processed.  

On the off-chance that after your tax return is processed and you then receive a bill, call the IRS and provide them with the reference number from the receipt for your payment so that they can match the two items together. 

@missy11