Rejected 2020 federal tax return amendment without an error reason

[adamhurwitz]

About

I filed a 2020 federal tax amendment through the TurboTax web app and within < 5 minutes I received an error message through email that the return was rejected without a specific error reason/code.

Email error message
> Your amended federal tax return was rejected and needs to be resubmitted

Steps to re-submit tax amendment
1. When signing back in to TurboTax and going to the 2020 year the amend online option has been replaced with the steps to download a .tax file and use the TurboTax desktop app.
2. I opened the up-to-date .tax file downloaded from the TurboTax web app into the desktop app, confirmed the numbers matched my updates made, and proceeded to file electronically.
3. In the review step it requests a signature date between 2021-01-01 and 2021-12-31 which is impossible as I'm attempting to file an amendment in 2022 (unless I can find a way around the space-time continuum required to time travel).

• Do I enter the date I originally filed the 2020 return on as the app does not let me enter a 2022 date?
• Or, should I print out the returns and mail in the amendments?
• I estimate this date issue is a potential reason for the amendment originally getting rejected when electronically filing with the TurboTax web app.

4. Do I need to re-purchase Audit Defense if I've already purchased it when originally filing 2020 taxes? I'm being re-asked if I want to add Audit Defense for 2020 in the TurboTax desktop app.

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

Only certain paid tax pros can still e-file past year amended returns. You cannot e-file an amended 2020 return that you prepared yourself using TurboTax.  Your 1040X must be printed, signed and dated in ink, and then you need to mail it in.  Use a mailing service like certified mail so you will know the IRS received it, since you will have a long wait for it to be processed.

 You can watch for information here:

https://www.irs.gov/Filing/Individuals/Amended-Returns-(Form-1040-X)/Wheres-My-Amended-Return-1