While amending 2020 state taxes the amount I owed disappeared incorrectly

[mich777]

I was amending my taxes and  after all info was updated, Turbotax initially had that I owed $ back which I do, but then it disappeared and now says I owe $0. The rep at Turtbotax was baffled. She said it looked like I already filed the amendment, which I clearly didn't (it needs to be filed by paper and no records of another amendment). 

Has anyone had this happen?  I was told to just submit the amount I owe even thought he state 1040X says I do not owe anything.. I'm not totally comfortable with this work around.

Any help or advice would be so greatly appreciated! 

I should add I have not yet received the refund that I will owe back. 

Thank you! 

[KathrynG3]

Regarding what happened, consider these talking points:

1. Form 1040X can be e-filed. See: Can I e-file my 1040X to amend my return?
2. Since it has already been checked that a second Amended Return was begun, then confirm what has been prepared so far for submission.
   1. To check what is listed as a tax balance owed, download your tax return and check Form 1040X, page 1, Line 20 to see what amount was reported.

   2. To get your 2020 Form 1040X download, from the left menu, select Tax Home. Then, follow these steps:

      1. Scroll down to Your tax returns & documents and Show.
      2. Navigate to the option to download the PDF of your return.
         • The forms are named in the top left and lower right hand corners of each page.
3. To confirm no amended return was e-filed, check: IRS: Where's My Amended Return?
4. For options on how to submit payment, see: IRS: Paying Your Taxes.

For more information about the process, see TurboTax article: What is the IRS 1040X Form?

[mich777]

@KathrynG3 Thank you so much for your reply! I really appreciate it! 

I should have mentioned my federal 1040x was e-filed perfectly already but my IL-1040x I don't believe it can be.

the IL-1040x is in "amend by paper filing" status. 

Ideally I would revert my state filing back to the original so the amount due would show up again when I amend it.. I'm just not sure why the amount due disappeared

The Turbotax rep did not know why it the amount due disappeared and thought it  "appeared as it was amended twice" but agreed that it wasn't.

Do you have any suggestions on how to fix this?  Thank you!! 

[KathrynG3 · Accepted solution]

OK; That makes sense. Yes, you are correct. You will have to mail the IL-1040-X. Yes, you may need to re-do the state amendment if it was not captured. 

If you prepared Form 1040X, then it is possible the IL-1040-X is already prepared, though, even with the missing amount due.

To check what has been done so far, download your tax return.

Next, scroll to the Illinois return. It will begin with Form IL-1040-X if it was included.

• Scroll to Line 37 to see if the tax balance due is listed.
• Form IL-1040-X will only capture the changes. You will need to rely on the federal Form 1040X to determine whether the original was reported, the changes made, and the corrected return reported as needed.

If you do not have Form IL-1040-X, see these instructions for filing the amended state return: I need to amend my state return.

[mich777]

@KathrynG3 

thank you so much!

The amount due is not showing up on the IL 1040x line 37 or anywhere else on the forms. 

Do you know if  there a way to start over on my state amendment in TurboTax to fix this issue? 

If I can’t fix that somehow do you think it would be ok to mail the IL -1040X in without the amount due on the forms and just include a check? 

[KathrynG3]

You're welcome! Yes, to start over on your state amendment in TurboTax, go through the state interview again. However, you cannot really cancel the amendment since it is tied to the federal amended return that has been sent.   

For more information, scroll down in this article to State Amendments, which will apply in TurboTax Online or TurboTax CD/Download: How do I cancel or undo an amended return in the TurboTax CD/Download software?

Since you are mailing in Form IL-1040-X, technically, you could adjust the form manually. However, it may require you to adjust 2021. 

• In 2021, you will get credit for the state taxes paid on Schedule A for itemizing deductions. If you do not itemize, however, then it is nothing to worry about. 

@mich777