Advice on how to file Amended Return

[Bain999]

I filed about two weeks ago using actual paper because TT would not let me file electronically since I could not remember some piece of information from the prior year. 

Paper filing works for us since we never get a refund -- any money overpaid is applied to the next year taxes.

Based on an amended 1099 DIV we just received we now get a $350+ reduction in our amount owed. 

The question is how to file this amended return -- use paper again or try for the electronic approach?

This is not a tax question per se but instead I am looking for advice regarding the process.

[DianeW777]

No. Returns filed by mail cannot use e-file for an amended return.  You should expect your amended return to be rejected if you try to send it through e-file according to the IRS Topic 308-Amended Returns.

• Only tax year 2019 and 2020 (and 2021) Forms 1040 and 1040-SR returns that were originally e-filed can be amended electronically.

[gmnizzi]

i personally would e-file the amended return as you can now do this for federal personal returns.  When you enter into turbotax your amended return it should confirm if you can e-file (I'm not 100%sure since you mailed your original return.)  If for some reason it gives you an error, then print and mail again.

(Recommend and urge you to do the following) I personally print and keep a paper copy of my return only with data needed for filing, but I also keep a PDF copy of all three separate files (return only, key calculations, and all calculations)  this way if something happens to my original ttax file format I can always view a pdf.  its also very simple to keep for review to gather the required info for next years e-file or file just in case ttax doesn't have it for some reason.  This may seem like overkill to you, but it only takes a few minutes and saves much time and stress if it's needed-not to mention the pdf really take up minimal space and the printed copy is just a few pages depending on complexity of your return. 

[gmnizzi]

as an update, it appears you should Mail the amended return since you Mailed the original return.  just save yourself some time and mail it. 

I personally wasted a lot of time tracking down an error because turbotax business does not yet allow efiling (due to an IRS publication not allowing it) an amended return.  The IRS allows it for personal returns provided you efiled it in the beginning.  Your choice, but efiling is so efficient and saves the government ( meaning us) $$ and helps reduce errors from the printed versions.