How to eliminate an erroneous 1040-X before filing taxes

[bobdrad]

I'm trying to help out a friend who made an error completing their taxes online.

They had completed their 1040, but have not filed it yet. Nothing has been filed.

They were receiving a refund.

We realized (before filing) that it would be best to apply their refund to next years taxes.

However, instead of going back and updating TurboTax accordingly, they erroneously created a 1040-X.

The 1040-X of course should not be filed, since the 1040 hasn't been filed yet.

I'm more used to the TT download product, and haven't used the online version before.

Since TT thinks we're done (even though we haven't filed), I'm not seeing a way to get back into the dialog again so I can properly tell it to apply the refund to next years taxes (and somehow delete the 1040-X). How can I re-open the return and update it before filing?

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

You should be able to go back to the tax return and then cancel the amended return.

To access the online tax returns sign onto the TurboTax website with the User ID you used to create the account - https://myturbotax.intuit.com/

When you sign onto your online account and land on the Tax Home web page, scroll down and click on Add a state

This will take you back to the 2022 online tax return.  If an amended return was started you should have Cancel Amend on the left side of the online program screen.  Click on Cancel Amend.

The program then may take you back to the Tax Home web page.  Access the return again and you should be able to apply the refund to next year's taxes.

To add, change or delete a current year federal tax refund to next year's taxes before you file your tax return -

Click on Federal Taxes (Personal using Home and Business)
Click on Other Tax Situations
Under Additional Tax Payments
On Apply Refund to Next Year, click on the start or update button

Or enter apply federal refund to next year in the Search box located in the upper right of the program screen. Click on Jump to apply federal refund to next year
The amount applied to next years taxes will be shown on Form 1040 Line 36

[bobdrad]

Great answer, thanks!

I think what threw us both was that you have to click "Add State" in order to re-open your return in order to update it. That's certainly not Intuit-ive!

Upon trying that, I was able to follow your careful instructions to cancel the Amend and then apply the refund to next year's taxes appropriately. Thank you so much! Fantastic advice.