amending return for Trad IRA contribution not made

[RustyShackleford]

On our 2021 return, my wife just informed me that she actually didn't make the $4000 Traditional IRA contribution that she was supposed to make (in early 2022, before I filed our return).   Thus, I need to amend our return, and I am having trouble getting Turbotax to do the right thing.

I fire up Turbotax, go to "other tax situations" and "amend my 2021 return".  Under "what do you need to change", I needed to pick "different reason", and then "deductions and credits".  So it took me to the part of the interview where you put IRA contributions.   I'd originally put $7000 for myself (correct) and $4000 for her (now incorrect).   So I removed her $4000, left my $7000, and proceeded.

The 1040 now correctly shows that our AGI is $4000 higher and that our tax bill is about $880 higher.   But the 1040-X is completely wrong.    It shows the new correct AGI and total tax in Column C, but it shows an amount that's $7000 higher in Column A.  I other words, it thinks I amended my return to include my $7000 contribution and that it wasn't on the original return, and therefore I'm due an add'l refund of $1500 or so.

How do I get it to do the right thing ?   I'm able to go in an edit the 1040-X to change the amounts in Column A to what the original return showed, but it doesn't seem like a great idea to do it this way.

I guess I could just change the original return to remove the $4000, and then fill out a 1040-X by hand, but I shouldn't need to do that.

Or just wait for the IRS to come after us ...

[fanfare · Accepted solution]

Don't file an incorrect Form 1040-X

since you have to file on paper anyway, the simplest path is to get Form 1040-X in fillable PDF from IRS.gov and make the entries yourself.

Do not attach your old 1040 nor your revised 1040 because the Form 1040-X reflects any changes there and becomes your new tax return.

Instead attach Schedule 1 showing the correct IRA contribution.

New schedule 1 should be showing in your revised turbotax return.

[RustyShackleford]

Ok, thanks.   Well, as I said in an edit I just made to my OP, in Turbotax I was able to change the numbers in Column A of the 1040-X by hand, to look the way they should.

So are you saying the thing I mail in should just be literally two pieces of paper (plus a voucher and a check): the 1040-X, and the changed Schedule 1 (showing $7000 instead of $11000 on Line 20) ?

[fanfare]

Yes

[RustyShackleford]

Shouldn't I be able to get Turbotax to do the right thing though ?

[fanfare]

"Shouldn't I be able to get Turbotax to do the right thing though ?"

of course.

Many user complain about TurboTax AMEND not working.

those who have no problem probably never come here with tips for success,

include in order only those Sequence Numbered tax forms and Schedules that changed or were added due to your amendment.
Attachment Sequence Number is on all the forms and Schedules that come after 1040.

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If you are using TurboTax you have to do this by visual comparison. The program won't break out those pages for you.
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[RustyShackleford]

Ah, so it's a known thing that TT doesn't handle amending so well.   That makes me feel better about hacking it as we've discussed.

So file the forms that changed.  But Form 1040 changed too, but only because Schedule 1 changed.   But, to confirm, don't file the corrected Form 1040 ?

[fanfare]

Form 1040-X becomes your new tax return. replacing 1040.

@RustyShackleford 

[RustyShackleford]

I like the way my state (NC) does it.  The amended-tax form just explains what you're doing - there are literally no numbers on it (besides Social Security numbers).   You just edit your original return and check a little box that says "amended".