File state taxes before amended 1040?

[DRpizza]

Before the deadline, I filed my 1040 which would give me a refund, and not yet filed the state taxes, but then found an error requiring that I amend the 1040 and now pay back some of the refund.  How can I file my state taxes while I wait for my 1040 refund - and then file my amended 1040?  Also, turbotax (online) seems to indicate that it is going to file an amended state CO104 when I haven't filed my original CO 104 yet. 

[KathrynG3 · Accepted solution]

You are correct, the state should receive an original return, not an amended return.

Typically, an amended return must have the original return unchanged so that Form 1040X is completed properly, showing the original, the change, and the amended return.

The only way to not get an amended state is to break that rule temporarily. To do this in TurboTax, follow these steps:

1. From the left menu, Cancel Amend to remove any changes currently entered.
    
2. From Tax Home, get back into the return without starting the Amend(change) my return:
   1. Scroll down to Your tax returns & documents, select Show, and then select 2020.
   2. Select Add a state to reopen your return.
   3. Make all the changes that you intend to make with the federal amended return.
   4. Select State from the left menu.
   5. At Let's get your state taxes done right screen, select Continue and run through the state interview.
   6. Run the state Review and complete e-filing the state.

   7. For more information, see: How do I e-file my state after I already filed my federal?
       

3. From Tax Home, get back into the return without starting the Amend(change) my return:

   1. Scroll down to Your tax returns & documents, select Show, and then select 2020.
   2. Select Add a state to reopen your return.
   3. Remove all the changes that you intend to make with the federal amended return.
      ​​​​​​​

4. From Tax Home, get back into the return with starting the Amend(change) my return:

   1. Scroll down to Your tax returns & documents, select Show, and then select 2020.
   2. Select Amend(change) my return to reopen your return.
   3. Make all the changes that you intend to make with the federal amended return.
   4. Amend the federal return electronically. 
   5. Colorado does not allow electronic submission of amended returns. Therefore, TurboTax will prepare documents to mail in. Confirm that the amended return for Colorado matches what you e-filed in step 2, but otherwise, the amended state can be disregarded. Do not mail the amended state return.

For more information, see: 

Do I need to amend?

10 Tax Tips for Filing an Amended Return.

[DRpizza]

So @KathrynG3 , if I understand the big picture:

1. Return back to filed 1040 state (back out any changes used for amendment)
   1. 1040 <--- changes
2. Add changes to filed 1040 state, select state filing - and file accordingly.
   1. 1040 + changes --> state filing
3. Back out those changes to return back to the filed 1040 state
   1. 1040 <--- changes
4. Proceed to amend the 1040 & state taxes and add changes back, then e-file the 1040, and then do not mail amended CO taxes because that can't be done online and should be accurate from Step 2.
   1. 1040 + changes --> amended 1040, discard CO 104X

Yes?

[KathrynG3]

Yes, that is correct. Since the amendment was started before the state was filed, it needs to be canceled so you can file Colorado. But, there is no need to delay the processing of Colorado by e-filing it incorrectly and filing an amendment just to match. This process will still end up matching federal and state filings in the end.

[reillyb]

How do I do this step:

     From the left menu, Cancel Amend to remove any changes currently entered.

with the CD/downloaded version of Turbo Tax? I don't see a CANCEL AMEND option.  Or do I not see the option because I already filed the (federal) amendment?

[AmyC]

If you have already filed the amendment you cannot cancel it. 

@reillyb