How do I amend my 2022 tax return to correct my enhanced business meal expenses?

by TurboTax•25• Updated 1 month ago

Some TurboTax customers might have overpaid their 2022 federal and, if applicable, state taxes because their enhanced business meal expenses weren’t reported correctly.

To amend your return, select your product and follow the instructions.

TurboTax Online

Write down the original refund or balance due amount(s) for your federal and state, if applicable, income taxes. We recommend you check the paper/PDF copy of your return(s), or your banking records to verify the correct amount.
Sign in to the TurboTax account where you prepared your 2022 return.
In Tax Home, scroll down to Your tax returns & documents, and choose 2022. If you have not already done so, we recommend that you print a copy of your original 2022 tax return for your records by selecting Download/print return (PDF).
Select Amend (change) return and then select Amend Using TurboTax Online.
On the OK, let’s get a kickstart on your 2022 amended return screen, choose TurboTax sent me an email, then Continue.
On the What did we contact you about? screen, choose Something else then Continue.
On the Tell us which 2022 return(s) you want to amend screen, select 2022 Federal return, then Continue. Your federal refund/balance due tracker will usually reset to $0; this is normal.

Note: If you have a state return, also select 2022 State return and go through the state amendment steps.

On the Here’s the info for your amended federal return screen, select the Smart Check tab.
On the Ready for Federal Review screen, select Continue.
On the Let’s Check These Entries screen, select Continue.
On the Form 1040-X: Explanation of Changes must be entered screen, enter TO CLAIM THE ENHANCED BUSINESS MEAL EXPENSE, then select Continue.
On the Check This Entry screen, review the error message concerning the allocation of total meal expense. To qualify for the enhanced deduction:

The partner must be present when food or beverages are provided.

Meals must be from restaurants, which includes businesses that prepare and sell food or beverages to retail customers for immediate on-premises or off-premises consumption.

Payment of billing for the food and beverages occurs after December 31, 2020, and before January 1, 2023.

The expense cannot be lavish or extravagant.

For additional information on business meals, please visit this article.

a. On line 12a, allocate the portion of the total meals subject to the 50% limitation.

b. On line 12b, allocate the portion of the total meals purchased from a restaurant.

c. Then select Continue.

On the Run Smart Check Again screen, select Done.
If applicable, on the Let’s work on your state return screen, select Continue and walk through the state interview.
On the Accuracy’s everything. Time for a quick review. screen, select Check my info.
On the Looking good, but before we move on…screen, select Continue.
On the Let’s take care of these details now screen, select Review and make any corrections.
On the Your federal return’s in great shape screen, select Continue.
On the Smartcheck results screen, select Continue.
On the Let’s get your return ready to file screen, select Check my return.
On the Your errors have been cleared, now let’s review! screen, select Continue.
On the Here are the numbers for your amended return screen, your federal and, if applicable, state balance due will be displayed. Select Continue.
Follow the instructions to e-file your returns. If you cannot e-file the state return, you will need to sign, date and mail the amended return. The mailing address and balance due are included on the File by Mail Instructions for your 2022 State Amended Tax Return, if applicable.

Note. Be sure to Print and Save the federal and state amended returns for your records.

TurboTax Desktop

Write down the original refund or balance due amount(s) for your federal and state, if applicable, income taxes. We recommend you check the paper/PDF copy of your return(s), or your banking records to verify the correct amount.
Launch TurboTax and open your 2022 return.
Before you make any changes, select File and Save As... then add Amended 2022 return to the file name to preserve your original return.
Select Online and Check for Updates. Allow the program to update if any are available.
Select the Federal Taxes tab, (Personal tab if you’re using Home & Business), and then select Other Tax Situations. You may be asked to answer a few preliminary questions before you see a list of categories. Scroll down to Other Tax Forms select Start next to Amend a Return.
On the We’ll help you change (amend) your return screen, select Continue.
On the Did you already file your return? screen, select Yes, I’ve already filed my return. Then select I was contacted by TurboTax and told I may need to amend for some other reason, then Continue.

Note: The refund meters will reset to -0-; this is normal.

On the What do you need to change on your return? screen, select the Smart Check tab.
On the Ready for Federal Review screen, select Continue.
On the Let’s Check These Entries screen, select Continue.
On the Form 1040-X: Explanation of Changes must be entered screen, enter TO CLAIM THE ENHANCED BUSINESS MEAL EXPENSE, then select Continue.
On the Check This Entry screen, review the error message concerning the allocation of total meal expense. To qualify for the enhanced deduction:

The partner must be present when food or beverages are provided.
Meals must be from restaurants, which includes businesses that prepare and sell food or beverages to retail customers for immediate on-premises or off-premises consumption.
Payment of billing for the food and beverages occurs after December 31, 2020, and before January 1, 2023.

The expense cannot be lavish or extravagant.

For additional information on business meals, visit this article.

a. On line 12a, allocate the portion of the total meals subject to the 50% limitation.

b. On line 12b, allocate the portion of the total meals purchased from a restaurant.

c. Then select Continue.

On the Run Smart Check Again screen, select Done.
If applicable, on the Let’s work on your state return screen, select Continue and walk through the state interview.
On the Let’s make sure your taxes are correct screen, select Continue.
On the Let’s Check These Entries screen, review any entries and then select Continue.
On the Run Smart Check Again screen, select Done.
You may see the Not Eligible for Electronic Filing, if your state does not process amendments electronically. Select Continue.
On the Your Amended Return Summary screen, review the screen and select Continue.
On the You’re Done! Print and Mail Your Returns screen, follow the instructions to print and save the amended returns. To electronically file the federal and, if applicable, state amended return, follow the instructions at the bottom of the screen and select the File tab to continue.
On the Let’s get ready to file your taxes screen, select Continue.
On the E-file Your Federal Return for FREE screen, follow the instructions to e-file your amended federal, and if applicable, state return.
If you cannot e-file the returns, you need to sign, date and mail the amended return(s). The mailing address and refund/balance due are included on the File by Mail Instructions for your 2022 Federal Amended Tax Return and 2022 State Amended Tax Return, if applicable.

Note. Be sure to Print and Save the federal and state amended returns for your records.

TurboTax experts are available to answer your questions at 844-333-2161 (5 AM to 9 PM PT every day). When you speak with an expert, just mention 2022 Enhanced Business Meals so they know exactly what you’re calling about.