Unable to file an amended return for 2025

[mgfrobozz]

I need to file an amended return after finding that I hadn't added Form 2210 (Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, Estates, and Trusts)

In my original filing, 1040 line 38 had a non-zero estimated tax penalty, and line 35a (the amount of tax I wanted refunded) was the amount I had overpaid, reduced by the tax penalty

In my amended filing, line 38 is $0, and line 35a is the same as the overpaid amount, which is what I want. But the "Federal refund" amount shown is $0, and turbotax indicates that nothing has changed.

How do I get turbotax to realize that a change in line 35a is a change from the original filing?

[DavidD66]

You can't change the amount you want refunded on your original return by amending.  If you need to amend your return, wait until the IRS accepts the original return and you have received your refund.  Once you have received your refund you can amend your return.  The IRS will calculate your underpayment penalty based on the information they have.  What they calculate may be different than what was on line 38 - "Estimated tax penalty..." of your original return.  If so, they will adjust your refund accordingly.   Unless you are filing Form 2210 to annualize your income or request a waiver there is no need to amend and file it. 

[mgfrobozz]

Re "wait until ... you have received your refund", I have. I've entered all the form 2210 data (see OP), but turbotax is telling me nothing has changed. Previously, line 38 had $300+ , and now it has $0 (see OP).

Also, when I've filed amended returns in past, turbotax always generated a 1040-X. Now, there is no 1040-X in the forms, only a 1040.

[mgfrobozz]

I started the amendment over again from a copy of my previous filing. The 1040-X appeared in "Forms" briefly during the process, as I recall just after completing the changes to add form 2210, and then disappeared again. I printed out pdf-s (filing and records) and found the 1040-X does appear in the filed forms (with the notation "Added form 2210 with annualized income to correct underpayment penalty"). Turbotax reminded me (again) that nothing had changed, even though on 1040-SR, line 38 ("Estimated tax penalty") has dropped to $0, and line 35a ("Amount of line 34 you want refunded to you") now equals line 34 ("This is the amount you overpaid")

I anticipate a wrestling match with IRS, to convince them to repay me the tax penalty that I paid in my first filing