Can a form 3115 be filed for a past tax year by amending a return for that year?

[MichaelL1]

A form 3115 is an Amendment for returns if they meet certain conditions specified in the Form 3115 instructions.  Yes, it is for current and prior years.

[jess109]

Thank you for the reply.  More specifically, would you file the form 3115 with your 2017 return or would you amend a previously filed return and include the form 3115 with the amended filing?

[jess109]

To be sure I understand correctly, a timely filed return would be for the current tax year and NOT for an amended tax year?  In other words, I would need to elect the change in 2017 and include all PY's amounts.

[MichaelL1]

Yes, you have it correct.

[jess109]

Perfect, thank you for the clarity.

[MichaelL1 · Accepted solution]

"Attach the original Form 3115 to the filer's timely filed (including extensions) federal income tax return for the year of change. The original Form 3115 attachment does not need to be signed. File a copy of the signed Form 3115 to the address provided in the address chart on this page, no earlier than the first day of the year of change and no later than the date the original is filed with the federal income tax return for the year of change. This signed Form 3115 may be a photocopy."

Source:  page 2 of instructions  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i3115.pdf

Form 3115 is not available in TurboTax Online. It is only available in the CD or download TurboTax software, and can only be completed in forms mode. There is no support for it in the Step-by-Step interview.