I e-filed my 2021 federal return and received a refund. Unfortunately, I made an error on this return and need to file an amended return. I never filed my state return. Do I need to file my original state return and then file an amended state return or can I just file one return based on my amended federal return?
No, if you know that the State return is not correct, do not file that return. Make the adjustments to your federal return and those changes will carry over to the state return and then file the State return with the federal corrections.
NOTE: Do not file the amended federal return until you know that the e-filed return has been processed by the IRS. Filing an amended return before you know the original return has been processed can create confusion and delay you the processing.
Thanks very much for the reply. My problem is that TurboTax thinks I filed my state return already. I told TT that I filed my federal because I did and I already received my refund. But TT is now also assuming that I filed my state return and it wants me to file an amended state return. How do I fix this?
Go back into through your state to the screen that asks whether you want to amend a return (each state is different).
Say no. Usually you will see a message asking if you want to cancel the amend. Confirm that you want to cancel. (Again, you may not see this, depending on what state you are preparing).
This should cancel the amended form. If it does not, you will have to delete the amended form. Most state amended forms will have an "X" at the end of the title.