Updated Data from an Amended Return

[oconnellpe]

Working on my 2021 return (CD download Premier) and had TT get the data from 2020.   After starting, I realized that TT incorrectly calculated a deduction on Schedule A.   So, I did an amended return last week and mailed it into the IRS since amendments can no longer be e-filed at this point.  The current 2021 return does not show the updated information from the amended 2020 version.  How do I get them in sync?  The changes in the one deduction that TT messed up affected some other areas of the return.  I can manually clean all of that up, but I would like to have the data correct in all of  my many years of TT returns since previous years can affect subsequent ones.  How do I get that done?

[GeorgeM777]

Assuming your amended 2020 tax return has not been imported into TurboTax, you will need to import that tax return.  TurboTax can import a .tax2020 file format or a pdf file format. Over 100 fields of information from the prior year will transfer into the current year's return.  

Included below are links to two articles that you may find helpful when trying to transfer the data from your amended return into TurboTax.  

How Do I Transfer Last Year's Return for Mac

How Do I Transfer Last Year's Return for Windows

[oconnellpe]

I used TT to do the amended return, so it is already on my computer.  I assume I can get the amended data into my 2021 return if I delete the one I started before doing the amendment and start over again on 2021.  Is there any other way that doesn't require starting over again?

[SteamTrain · Accepted solution]

Sorry, but you do have to start all over, and import anew, right at the start of the new file.

IF the 2020 change was minor enough, sometimes it's possible to adjust the partially-prepared 2021 one for whatever was change on the 2020 file, but that depends on what was changed.

[oconnellpe]

Thanks.  Sort of thought that would be the case.  It's a bit of a pain, but not a huge deal to start over again.

[GeorgeM777]

Another option might be to create a second return in TurboTax.  In the TurboTax CD/Download software, you can create a test copy by following these steps:

1. Open your return in TurboTax
2. From the File menu, choose Save As (Windows) or Duplicate (Mac)
3. Give the copy a new name to distinguish it from the original (for example, by adding Test or Example to the file name)
4. Save the copy. You are now safely working in the test copy and anything you do here will not affect the original

Here is a link to the TurboTax article that discusses creating a second return.

How To Create a Test Copy of Your Return