What does it mean to apply my return to next year tax return?

[dianarf07]

Apply my refund to next year return

[VolvoGirl]

Apply your refund.  An overpayment is your refund.   You can have them keep all or part of your refund as an estimated payment towards next year's tax return.  But most people want to get their refund now.   So to get your refund now do not say to apply it to next year.

[sarahep85]

Is there anything special you need to do when filing your taxes the following year? I applied my refund from last year to this year (so i didn't get a state return last year). Do I need to tell them or will they already know? Thanks

[VolvoGirl]

If it didn't transfer over from last year then enter a refund from last year that you applied to this year here.   BUT first make sure it's not already there.  You don't want to apply it twice.

Federal on left

Deductions and Credits at top

Then scroll way down to Estimates and Other Taxes Paid

Other Income Taxes - Click the Start or Revisit

Next page scroll down to 2018 Refund Applied to 2019

Click Start or Update by the tax you applied

NOTE:  When you enter a 1099G for a state refund  under income there is a box to check and then fill out the amount of state refund you had applied to next year's estimated taxes.  If you filled that in then do not fill it in again under Deductions and Credits.  It won't show that amount in Deductions but if you enter it again it will be doubled.

[queen_kp]

what happens if you mistakenly choose yes instead of no... i just submitted mine and i think i may have accidentally chosen yes is there any way to fix this? 

[JotikaT2]

It depends.

If you have filed your return, you can contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and request that the refund is applied to the current Tax Return instead of being applied to next year's Tax Return.

Help to request a refund instead of overpayment

If your question is in regard to a particular state, you will need to contact your state. 

How do I contact my state

[loyelg0506]

I’m almost positive I did the same thing ,it shows my mass is pending With no amount but on the side it says it’s pending with the amount ! I’m so nervous 

[KarenM90]

If you chose to apply your refund to next year's return, you will not receive a refund back.

This selection would mean that you chose to have it applied to pay your 2020 taxes.  

If you made that selection in error, you should contact IRS to reverse that decision.  Please see this Help Article:  What if I applied my refund to next year, and changed my mind?

[VCS]

I cannot find where to tell it to apply my refund for 2019 to 2020 estimates. Can you help me?

[VCS]

How do I apply my Federal refund to next years estimates

[VolvoGirl]

To apply your federal refund to next year, enter it under
Federal Taxes Tab or Personal (Home & Buisness)
Other Tax Situations
Additional Tax Payments
Apply Refund to Next Year - Click the Start or Update button

[meyer1]

Many thanks for your help.  It also works on TT Premier.

[KathrynG3]

@VolvoGirl is correct. These steps will work in any level of TurboTax. See: How do I apply my refund to next year's (2021) taxes?

@meyer1

[NM08]

If you accidentally hit apply return to next year and don't owe any payments will you get this year's refund added to next year's or is it gone?

[PattiF]

Yes, if you qualify for a refund for the 2021 tax year and apply it to next years' taxes, it will be added to the 2022 tax return as a payment towards what you owe. It is not gone, you will be able to access it next year.