How to eFile amended returns? Amending Form 8606 for 2021, 2022, and 2023

[DH1234]

I need to file amended returns for the last 3 years due to not handling nondeductible IRA basis tracking correctly on form 8606.  Per the IRS, you can use tax software to electronically file your 1040-X. File an amended return | Internal Revenue Service

I used TurboTax Deluxe and e-File'd for each year's original return. As an example, for TurboTax 2021 I go through the steps and says that 'e-Filing is Closed for the season, You can file by mail' the tax season closed 10/17/2022.  However, I get to the end there is an option to "Transmit Returns Now", when I click the button, I get a 'Correct your Signature date' which is signed with today's date of 3/30/2025.  Then TurboTax indicates the signature date must be between 1/1/2022 and 12/312022. 

How to efile:

Question 1: Will TurboTax handle it once you are past the end of the year it was originally due?

Question 2: How can I electronically file (eFile) my amended tax returns for previous years (2021, 2022, 2023) through TurboTax? 

If I have to print and snail mail, I have a couple more questions:

Question 3: If the only change is form 8606 for nondeductible IRAs and there is no change to anything else with 0 payment/refund due on the 1040-X, what do I need to print to send?  I have read either a) the whole return or b) just the 1040-X and Form 8606 or c) is there something else? 

Question 4: Can I mail all 3 amended returns together in one envelope or must they be separate?

Question 5: With 2024 taxes due in two weeks, should I file an extension for 2024 to allow the amended taxes time to process first or can I submit it now using the corrected tax basis numbers?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[fanfare · Accepted solution]

The proper way to file Form 8606 is attached to Form 1040-X.
Form 8606 can be mailed by itself only when you are otherwise not required to file a tax return.

Did you do a true backdoor contribution that is tax-free, or planned to be?
in that case Form 8606 will show a taxable amount of zero.
Do you have the correct taxable amount on Form 1040 Line 4b and did not take a deduction? (Schedule 1 Line 20)?
If that is all true then only Form 8606 has to be attached.
After you e-File,
get Form 1040-X from IRS website and mail it in with your <year> 8606, which you can also get in fillable PDF under "prior forms"..
Note: when you are not changing any dollar amounts on your amending 1040-X, you can leave all the lines 1-23 EMPTY.

Part II explanation: "didn't include Form 8606 with e-File".

Done this way, you sign 1040-X, not 8606.
Do not include your old 1040 nor your revised 1040 because they are identical

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do not mail different years in the same envelope.

[fanfare]

in case of multiple amendments, in explanation I would describe the  <other  years> that are being filed under separate cover.

make ure your forms are consistent with each other before mailing anything.

[DH1234]

Thanks for the quick response.

Here's a little more information to help clarify.  In all three years Form 8606 was created, but I had not carried over the total basis in Line 2, and I had not entered Roth recharacterized to nondeductible Traditional IRA in 2021/2022 with correct contribution amounts (I had used the recharacterized amount which had earning/losses) and the conversions to Roth were not showing on the form 8606.  I did not deduct any of the contributions in any year.  The conversions were under the basis as the account balance was less than the contributions.  So no tax impact with any of the corrections. It was planned to be a backdoor contribution.  

I was able to finally figure out where I had entered incorrectly in TurboTax and amended using TurboTax for each year. 

2021 - 1040 Lines 4a/4b are blank on original and amended

2022 - 1040 Lines 4a same amount and 4b are blank on original and amended

2023 - 1040 Lines 4a same amount and 4b are blank on original and amended

So based on this I should mail in 1040-X and Form 8606 only, in separate envelopes for each year.  

Question: Should I print out and use the 1040-X that TurboTax created or create one from scratch as you mention?

[fanfare]

You can use the generated Form 1040-X if it is correct. (no dollar amounts are changing). and the generated Form 8606. Those are the only two pages to be mailed.

"The conversions were under the basis as the account balance was less than the contributions.  "

youre form(s) 8606 must reflect those actions.

[DH1234]

I was doing a last look at the forms before sending to make sure the numbers were correct and the explanation consistent.  In the process I noticed that the 1040-X form created by TurboTax for 2021 and 2022 was Rev. July 2021, but the 2023 shows Rev. February 2024, they are slightly different.

I haven't amended before and want to make sure I am doing all of the little things correct, so the IRS will be able to cruise through without having any little things to find issue with.  Thanks.

Question 1: Should I still use the TurboTax generated 1040-X forms or go back to the option of manually filling out the form and use the most recent version of 1040-x for all three years to send? 

Question 2: Similar question on the form 8606 itself has different Rev dates.  Can I use the TurboTax generated form?

[LindaS5247]

It is fine to use TurboTax to prepare your amended returns. You just have to mail them because you can no longer e-file them. It is also fine to use the versions of the Forms that TurboTax has generated, regardless of the Rev. dates.  

Click here for How to File an Amended Tax Return with the IRS

Click here for How do I amend my federal tax return for a prior year?

Click here for Amending Your Income Tax Return