Can I e-file my W2 federal tax return if I am no longer in the U.S., but they ask me to mail it? Is it possible to switch to e-filing, or could my request be rejected?

[LindaS5247]

Please clarify your question by adding some additional information so we may better help you. ‌Such as: Did you live or work in the US in 2024? Who asked you to mail your tax return? Did TurboTax tell you you had to mail your tax return? Have you entered your tax information in TurboTax?  How far in the process are you? Do you have a US address or credit card with a US address?

[zhiyingxol]

I lived and worked in the U.S. in 2024 and I need to file my 2024 Federal Tax Return by mail, and the only tax document I have is my W-2 form.

Yes, I have already entered my tax information in TurboTax, but I’m not sure if I did something wrong because it generated a PDF with Form 1040-X and Form 1040, requiring me to mail my return.

The page shows that my 2024 federal tax return has been processed in TurboTax, and I am eligible for a refund. However, the status says "Ready to Mail", which means my return has not been e-filed. Instead, TurboTax is instructing me to print and mail my tax return to the IRS.

I also no longer have a U.S. address, as I have already moved to another country. Ideally, I would like to e-file my tax return and receive my refund online. Is that possible in my situation? If not, what is the best way for me to proceed?

Thanks!

[zhiyingxol]

The page shows that my 2024 federal tax return has been processed in TurboTax, and I am eligible for a refund. However, the status says "Ready to Mail", which means my return has not been e-filed. Instead, TurboTax is instructing me to print and mail my tax return to the IRS.

[DawnC]

If you have not mailed it yet, you can change it to e-file.   Sign in to your account.   Click on Tax Home (top of left menu).   Then scroll all the way to the bottom and click on Add a State.   Then proceed through the File menu again - but change your option to E-FILE.

[zhiyingxol]

From the state selection, do I just randomly pick one?

[DawnC]

You don't have to pick a state to add - you don't have to add a state at all - clicking on Add a State unlocks your return so you can change it to e-file.   

[zhiyingxol]

I clicked on "Add a State" and this is what i can see.

If i click on "Skip State", eventually it will bri.ng me to "To file your ammended returns, you'll need to print and mail them".

[mesquitebean]

@ zhiyingxol 

In one post above you mentioned Form 1040X, and also in a post above you said the TurboTax screen is saying "amended."    Please clarify your situation.   You never said anything about having filed an original 2024 return.  Have you filed previously an original 2024 return, and are you now trying to formally amend it?  Or did you start an amended return Form 1040X by mistake?

Also, the left column menu in your image above is for an amended return.

If you started an amended return Form 1040X by mistake, you can cancel the amendment and restore your Form 1040 to its original condition so you can efile (hopefully) your original return.    After cancelling it, you will need to put everything that was changed back like it was in your original return, then be sure to review your return completely.    So if that's your situation, here's how it is done:

• Open your tax return, and then in the left menu column you will see "Cancel Amend."   Actually the menu is shown in the image you posted above.   So use that "Cancel Amend" link.
• Once it's canceled, be sure that you return everything to the original condition in your return; i.e., back to like it was before you started the amendment. 
• Be sure to go through the Federal and state reviews prior to filing.
• Hopefully, it will now let you efile, but be sure everything is correct first.   Print and view the return before filing.

Also see the ADDENDUM I left you in my next comment that follows this one.

[mesquitebean]

ADDENDUM:

If my posting above described your situation; i.e., if you started an amended return by mistake, then here's some more info you may need.

Once you cancel the amendment and have restored and reviewed your original return, whether or not you can efile from a foreign country will depend on the following factors:

FAQ:   Can I efile with a foreign address?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/electronic-filing/e-file-foreign-address...

[zhiyingxol]

@mesquitebean 

Thank you for the help. I apologize if I didn't state my situation clearly. To clarify,

1. I mistakenly filed an original 2024 return as Form 1040X (when it should have just filed with my W-2 form) , and when I first filed the original 2024 return, it prompted me to mail it instead of allowing me to e-file.
2. So in an attempt to fix this and enable e-filing, I amended the return (incorrectly assuming it would allow e-filing and switch to W-2)

Now, I'm not sure where I am in the process—whether I am stuck in the amendment process when I shouldn't be filing Form 1040X at all. Can you advise on how I can correct this and proceed with e-filing my return properly? (maybe Form 1040-NR?, not sure....) 

:(

[mesquitebean]

---

@ zhiyingxol wrote:

Thank you for the help. I apologize if I didn't state my situation clearly. To clarify,

1. I mistakenly filed an original 2024 return as Form 1040X (when it should have just filed with my W-2 form) , and when I first filed the original 2024 return, it prompted me to mail it instead of allowing me to e-file.
2. So in an attempt to fix this and enable e-filing, I amended the return (incorrectly assuming it would allow e-filing and switch to W-2)

Now, I'm not sure where I am in the process—whether I am stuck in the amendment process when I shouldn't be filing Form 1040X at all. Can you advise on how I can correct this and proceed with e-filing my return properly? (maybe Form 1040-NR?, not sure....) 

---

TurboTax may say "filed" if it thinks you planned to mail it, even when it hasn't been actually filed.  But if you have printed but haven't actually mailed anything or efiled, then you have only "prepared" the return and haven't actually "filed" anything at all--which is good--until you get all this straightened out.  

When preparing an original return, you should have never seen any mention of a Form 1040X at all.   It sounds like somehow when you were preparing your original return, you started an amended return (Form 1040X) by mistake.    I left you instructions above on how to cancel an amended return (Form 1040X) using the left column menu, and then revise your return to its original condition.   However, since then you have now added an additional twist in the conversation.  You have now also stated something that may be an additional problem.  See below:

Now all of a sudden you quickly mention a Form 1040NR.   You hadn't mentioned anything like that before, so its mention really confuses things and could throw another wrench into the mix.  Why did Form 1040NR come into your mind?   A 1040NR is for "non-resident aliens for tax purposes."    Please answer the following questions to help determine if you need Form 1040NR instead of a Form 1040:

1. Are you a USA citizen or not a US citizen?  
2. If not a US citizen, then citizen of what country?  (or do you have dual citizenship?)
3. If you are not a US citizen, what dates were you in the USA, and what visa were you under, or do you have a green card?
4. Are you married?

I'm not a tax expert, but a fellow user.   Once you answer those questions, I'll see if one of the forum tax experts who are experienced in international filing can tell you what to do.   TurboTax is only for US citizens and filers classified as "resident aliens for tax purposes."   If it turns out that you are classified as a "non-resident alien for tax purposes" and have to use Form 1040NR, then the TurboTax program cannot handle that form, but has an affiliate (Sprintax) that can do it.  

Also see this IRS article:

Determining an individual's tax residency status

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/determining-an-individuals-tax-residency-sta...

[zhiyingxol]

I haven't actually "filed" anything at all. I am not a U.S citizen and im holding a J-1 Visa. Is it too late for me to switch to Sprintax to efile my return?

[DaveF1006]

No, it isn't too late. Here's their link.