I accidentally filed my 2017 taxes instead of my 2018 ones what do i do i need help ASAP

[Texas Roger]

Are you saying you entered your 2017 tax information into the 2018 online Free Edition and efiled the return?

[green_kirsti]

Yes on accident how do i do an amend??

[rhondaguzman44]

I did the same thing, just wait till your return is accepted. If so, then you'll have to amend for 2018. Print out the 1040X form, input your 2018 information and submit... always make yourself a copy.

[Texas Roger]

You must wait until your tax return is pulled from the TurboTax servers by the IRS on Jan. 28 or shortly thereafter. It will be accepted or rejected by the IRS. If it is rejected, you can redo the information on the return and replace it with your 2018 information and resubmit it as a 2018 return.  

If the return you mistakenly efiled with 2017 information is accepted by the IRS, you must wait until it is processed and you get a refund. You can then start an amended return to fix everything by entering your 2018 information. The amended return is form 1040X that must be prepared, printed, signed and mailed. It cannot be efiled. Do not change anything on your accepted return until you start the amended return. The 1040X may not be available in TurboTax until late February or March. It takes the IRS about 16 weeks to process an amended return. 

Regardless of whether your mistakenly submitted return is accepted or rejected, you can prepare, print and mail a 2017 tax return using the prior year program that you can buy from TurboTax at this link: https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/ 

A 2017 return cannot be efiled. It must be mailed. 

[Ohh2kevin]

I did the same thing. So I have to amended my 2017 on the 1040x and send it to them again saying that I filed it in the wrong year ? Or just do the 2018?

[xmasbaby0]

@Ohh2kevin   You made quite a mistake.  The current online software is ONLY for preparing and filing a 2018 return, so if you used that and entered 2017 income, your tax return is all wrong. If you get really lucky and the return is rejected then you can make corrections to it and enter your 2018 income into that software instead of the 2017 data that you used, and re-submit it with 2018 income on it.

Check the e-file status

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

If the return was accepted by the IRS you have to WAIT until it is fully processed and THEN you can amend it and prepare a 1040X to enter your 2018 information.  Do not try to do anything with your 2018 income yet.  You cannot file a 2018 return now because the IRS has a 2018 return for you--even though it is wrong.

As for filing a 2017 return, you can still do that using the correct software program.  You will need to purchase and download the 2017 software and then the return has to be mailed.  It cannot be e-filed.

Online preparation and e-filing for 2017 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

If you need to prepare a return for 2015, 2016, or 2017 you can purchase and download desktop software to do it, then print, sign,  and mail the return(s)

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Note:  The desktop software you need to prepare the prior year return must be installed/downloaded to a full PC or Mac.  It cannot be used on a mobile device.

If you have to amend later:  (And remember--it is too soon to amend now.  You have to let the IRS process that wrong return first).

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894381-how-to-amend-change-or-correct-a-return-you-already-filed?...

A 1040X cannot be e-filed.  It must be printed and mailed.  It will take about 3-4 months for the IRS to process an amended return.  It is a good idea to use a mailing service that will track it, like UPS or certified mail, so you will know it was received.

Wait about 3 weeks from mailing and you can check the status of your amended return:

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

https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/amended-returns-form-1040-x/amended-return-frequently-asked-q...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1908543-do-i-need-to-amend

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2566895-what-does-it-mean-to-amend-a-return

[Ohh2kevin]

So I can not send a 1040x with my 2017 saying that it supposed to be for the 2017 and saying I accidentally put it in 2018? Couldn't they fix that.?

[VolvoGirl]

Let's start over.  

1.  Did you file an original 2017 return back in 2018?  If not you do not amend.  You just file a new original 2017 return now.

2.  If the current 2018 return you did this year got filed and accepted then you need to amend 2018 and take off the wrong 2017 info and change it to just be for 2018.

[Ohh2kevin]

I.filed a 2017 in a 2018 . And where I'm lost at is that idk if I have to send the 2018 1040x or the 2017. And idk what to say where it says "explanation of changes "

[VolvoGirl]

I understand that you entered 2017 on your 2018 return.  You have to do 2 things....

1.  File an original 2017return like nothing happened.

2.  Amend the 2018 return to take off 2017 and make it be just for 2018 info.

for explanation you say you entered the wrong year info.

 HOW TO FILE A NEW 2017 RETURN

You can only buy the download for prior years.  You have to buy a separate program for each year.  They only sell the last 3 years.  You need a full Windows or Mac computer to install it on.  Buy the download here   

  https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

You have to print and mail prior year returns.  When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS received the return.  Don’t forget state.

Important!  Mail Federal and State in separate envelopes and mail each year in separate envelopes.

How to file a prior year

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-prepare-a-prior-year-tax-return/00/25...

[Ohh2kevin]

Thank you.  Now it's getting cleared up. Sorry I was just getting really frustrated with this. So now that they already have accepted I have to do my 2017 first and then 2018 correct ?

[VolvoGirl]

No.  You can do either one first.  2017 is now late.  You have 3 years to file if you are getting a refund.  You also have 3 years to file the amended 2018 return.

How to amend 2018

You should not change or add anything until your original 2018 return is accepted (if they reject it you can fix it and resend it) and fully processed and you get the first refund or pay the tax due.  Then you can amend it.  Do not enter or change anything until after you start the amended return.   If you have added or changed your return you need to take out any changes and put your return back to the way it was when you originally filed it.  

Amended returns can only be MAILED not efiled.  How to amend an Online return  https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/amending/help/how-do-i-amend-my-turbotax-online-return/00/27577

[Ohh2kevin]

I can do my 2017 online correct? I only have to pay for it? And for the 2018 to corrected I have to mail them ? 

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry no, you can not do 2017 online.  Online is only good for 2018.  

Yes you will have to mail the 2018 1040X Amended return.  

And mail the 2017 original return.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS received the return.  Don’t forget state.

Important!  Mail Federal and State in separate envelopes and mail each year in separate envelopes.  So you might have to mail 4 separate envelopes.