Yes, there's a much easier way. On the 2014 amended return, apply the refund to 2016. On your 2016 tax return, enter the refund from the 2014 amended return as a 2015 refund applied to 2016. This is what the IRS instructions and the TurboTax "Learn More" help say to do. The year of the amended return that it's coming from doesn't matter. Amounts applied from any amended return all go in the same place on the 2016 tax return.
Do not amend your 2015 tax return or attempt to make the 2014 refund flow through 2015.
