E-file an Amended Return

[JoeDa]

Hello, I used the "amend a return" feature in TT2023 to amend my filing for this year which I filed back in February.  When done it let me print a PDF of the amended returns but didn't offer to e-file them.  Do I have to mail them in per the instructions or is there a way to e-file them?  I saw the e-file option in the file menu but didn't want to screw up my tax filings by trying it without asking about it first.

[Cynthiad66]

Yes, you can e-file your amended return.

If you printed your taxes to mail them in and went all the way through the File section, when you sign in to TurboTax Online you'll see the Way to go! You filed your 2023 taxes and you won't see a way to change to e-filing.

Keep these considerations in mind:

• If you've already mailed your return, don't e-file. This can cause problems with the government, including refund delays.
• You can only switch from mail to the e-filing method until April 15, 2024.
• You must be eligible to e-file.
• It's no longer possible to e-file state returns before the federal.

To switch to e-filing:

Note: If your TurboTax navigation looks different from what’s described here, learn more.

1. Sign in to TurboTax.
2. Select Tax Home in the left menu.
3. Scroll down to Your tax returns & documents.
4. Select 2023, and then select Add a State (you're not actually adding a state, this just gets you into the right area).
5. Select File in the left menu (expand your browser window if you don't see this, or select the menu icon in the top left corner).
6. On the Just one more step screen, follow steps 1 and 2 if you haven't already.
7. Select the Start button to the right of step 3.
8. On the Let's get ready to e-file screen, select I want to e-file.
9. Follow the instructions to e-file your return.

[JoeDa]

I originally filled both my federal and state returns electronically last month with the Premiere edition of TurboTax 2023.  When I started the program back up this morning, it updated some files.  Then when it came up, I had to navigate to my returns like it had lost all memory of my earlier filling.  It let me amend the return and I expected it to offer to e-file the amended version but instead it only offered to save or print it.  I got a small refund from both my federal and state returns and have received them both already via direct deposit.  Will it work correctly to manually select the electronic filling option in the File menu?  I'd love to do it electronically if possible to avoid the potential of anything getting lost in the mail.

[JoeDa]

I guess what I'm really asking is whether or not it will file the amended forms correctly or will it re-file the original as if it was a completely new filing?

[JoeDa]

One more thing.  When I now switch to "View->Forms" it does show the 1040X federal form in there with the other forms and the 40V form in with the state forms.

[Cynthiad66 · Accepted solution]

Your amended returns will be e-filed correctly.  The forms showing up in the list suggest accuracy.

You can check the status of your Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return using the Where's My Amended Return? online tool or by calling the toll-free telephone number 866-464-2050 three weeks after you file your amended return.

@JoeDa 

[JoeDa]

That half worked.  It re-filed the Federal but not the state.  It just said I was done and didn't offer to continue with the state return.  Any way to force it to re-file the state return too? 

[Cynthiad66]

Although you can e-file your federal and state taxes together, if you choose to e-file your federal first, you'll have to wait until that return has been accepted before you can e-file your state.

If your federal hasn't been accepted, or you printed and mailed it, you won't be able to e-file your state but you can print and mail a paper return.

Married filers: If you e-filed your federal using the joint married status, but you want to e-file your state returns separately, only one of you will be able to e-file. The other must paper-file their state return.

 

TurboTax Online

TurboTax Desktop

@JoeDa

[JoeDa]

One final attempt before I give up and file my state amended return manually.  My TuroTax Premier still didn't allow me to file my Alabama State amended return electronically, even after the federal amended return was filed electronically and accepted.  I filed the original federal and state returns electronically, one right after the other.  If I go back now to try to restart the e-file process, it wants to re-file the federal again which has already completed.  Is there any way to force an e-file of the state amended return for Alabama?  If so, what if the process?

[CatinaT1]

Try and complete the efile process. It may look like it want's to re-file the federal, but if it is already filed and accepted, it won't produce a duplicate submission. State returns can not be filed independently of the Federal return. This is why it looks like it is trying to file federal also, but really it is only going to file the state.

[JoeDa]

Well, now my federal amended return may be screwed up.  I went through it again and it refiled the federal amended return and still didn't offer to refile the state amended return.   If I check the e-file status it now says that the federal return is pending again and the state is still showing accepted.

[JoeDa]

And I got the follow-up email from TurboTax saying that the federal is pending acceptance again.

[Cynthiad66]

Your original return should be filed and refund or balance due notice before filing an amended return.  When you submit the amended return before the original process, it could confuse and delay processing.  So, in your case, you will need to just wait to allow the IRS to process everything submitted.

@JoeDa 

[JoeDa]

Everything had already been processed.  My original e-filing was accepted and I had received my refunds from both the federal and state returns.  In addition to that, my Federal amended return was accepted and they had withdrawn the overpayment amount from my account, all electronically.  Now it appears that I have electronically refiled the federal amended return.  At no point during any of the amended process (twice now) has it offered to file the state amended return.  Basically, TurboTax has screwed me!  If the IRS doesn't acknowledge that the second filing was a duplicate, they will take the overpayment out a second time.  I have printed out the manual filing info for the state amended return and will submit it via mail and will definitely let them know about the issues that I had with TurboTax.

[CatinaT1]

The IRS will not accept duplicate returns, so there is no way to duplicate an e-filed return, whether original or amended.

It's hard to determine without seeing what you are seeing what steps were missed.

Make sure you follow these guidelines when amending.

If you want to make changes or add a document to a tax return that has already been submitted, you should follow these guidelines. 

• You must first wait until the initial return is completely processed. 
• You will have to use the same TurboTax account that you used for the original tax return. 
• Once you begin your amendment, you'll see your original return.  
• The refund calculator will start new at $0 and only reflect the changes in the refund or tax due 
• Only make changes to the areas of your return that need amending. 
• You have three years from the date you filed your return or two years after you paid the tax due (whichever is later) to file an amendment 

Select your product below and follow the instructions. 

Amend TurboTax Online 

Amend TurboTax CD/Download