How do I amend my 2023 Arkansas state tax return to correct itemized vs. standard deduction selection?

by TurboTax• Updated 2 days ago

Some Arkansas TurboTax customers might have overpaid their Arkansas state taxes. Due to an error, these customers might have incorrectly reported their standard versus itemized deductions on their state return.

If we notified you, we recommend you review and, if needed, amend your state tax return as soon as possible.

Please select your version of TurboTax below and follow the instructions.

TurboTax Online

Write down the original refund or balance due amount for your Arkansas income taxes. We recommend you check the paper/PDF copy of your return, or your banking records to verify the correct amount.
Log in to the TurboTax account where you prepared your 2023 return. In Tax Home, scroll down to Your tax returns & documents, and choose 2023. If you have not already done so, we recommend that you print a copy of your original 2023 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 2023 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 2023 return(s) you want to amend screen, select 2023 Arkansas return. Then Continue. Your state refund/balance due tracker will usually reset to $0. This is normal.

On the Let’s get your state taxes done right screen, select Continue.
On the Let’s amend your state taxes screen, select the magnifying glass icon next to Search in the upper right corner of the screen.
In the Search box, enter itemized deductions. Then select Jump to itemized deductions.
On the Now it’s time for the fun part…screen, review your itemized deductions. If you filed Married Filing a Separate return, continue with step 11. For all other filing status: If all of your itemized deductions are entered, you do not need to amend your return and can select Cancel Amend from the left side menu. Otherwise, continue with step 11.
Revisit the area where your deductions need to be modified and make the corrections. When finished, select Done with tax breaks. Then Continue.
1. If the state refund/balance due meter has changed, you need to amend your return. Continue with step 12.
2. If the state refund/balance due meter has not changed, you do not need to amend your return and can select Cancel Amend from the left side menu.
Continue through the screens until you reach the Let’s get your state taxes done right screen. Select Continue.
Select Amend next to Arkansas.
On the Your Arkansas Return screen, select Continue.
On the Let’s Amend Your Arkansas Return screen, select Yes, let’s amend and get it done (Recommended), then Continue.

On the Amount Paid or Refunded on Your Original Return screen, verify the amount from step 1 and if it is not the same make the correction to either the original refund or balance due amount. Then select Continue.
On the How to File an Amended Return in Arkansas screen, select Continue.
On the Copy Federal Amended Explanation? screen, select No.
On the Tell Us Why You’re Amending screen, enter "TO OPTIMIZE BETWEEN STANDARD OR ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS”. Then select Done.
On the Let’s Make Sure you’re Ready to Review screen, check Yes, I’ve entered everything and let’s review, then Continue.
On the Ready to Review Your State Return screen, select Continue.
On the Smart Check Results screen, select Continue.
On the Let’s amend your state taxes screen, select Continue.
On the Let’s get your return ready to file screen, select Check my return. Then Skip recap.
On the Time to put it all together for one last look screen, select Continue.
On the Great job so far! screen, select Continue.
On the Just one more step and we’ll file your returns screen, select Continue by Step 3.
On the We’ve determined the fastest way to get your federal and state refunds screen, select Change next to 2023 Federal Return.
On the Change filing method screen, select File by mail, Then Save. Then Continue.
NOTE: You are only amending your state tax return. The changes do not impact your Federal return, so please do not refile it.

On the Now, it’s time to download and print your returns screen, select Download. Then Continue.
On the You did it! It’s time to file! screen, select I’m done.
Once your tax return has been printed, you need to sign, date, and mail the amended return. The mailing address and filing instructions are included on the File by Mail Instructions for your 2023 Arkansas Amended Tax Return.
NOTE: Be sure to Print and Save the amended return for your records.

TurboTax CD/Download

Write down the original refund or balance due amount for your Arkansas state 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 2023 return.
Before you make any changes, select File and Save As... then add Amended 2023 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.
Go to the Federal Taxes tab, (Personal tab if you’re using Home & Business), and then select Deductions and Credits. Review each section of Your 2023 Deductions & Credits and compare with your Form AR3, Arkansas Itemized Deductions
If you filed Married Filing a Separate return, continue with step 7. For all other filing status: If all of your itemized deductions are entered, you do not need to amend your return. Stop here by exiting the return and not saving it. Otherwise, continue with step 7.
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 select Continue. The refund meters will reset to -0-. This is normal.
On the What do you need to change on your return? screen, scroll down to the bottom and select Update next to State Return.
On the Let’s work on your state return screen, select Continue.
On the Your State Returns screen, select Edit next to Arkansas.
On the Your 2023 Arkansas Return screen, select Continue.
On the Let’s Amend Your Arkansas Return screen, select Yes, let’s amend and get it done (Recommended), then Continue.
On the Amount Paid or Refunded on Your Original Return screen, verify the amount paid or the overpayment amount with the original return using the amounts written down from step 1. Make any corrections as needed, then select Continue.
On the How to File an Amended Return in Arkansas screen, select Continue.
On the Copy Federal Amended Explanation? screen, select No.
On the Tell Us Why You’re Amending screen, enter "TO OPTIMIZE BETWEEN STANDARD OR ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS”. Then select Done.
On the Let’s Make Sure you’re Ready to Review screen, check No, I still have state amend info to enter, then Continue.
On the Ok, Let’s Go Over Your Return Again screen, select Continue.
On the Select a Return screen, select the appropriate tax return then Continue.
Continue through the Arkansas interview screens until you reach the Arkansas Federal Itemized Deductions screen. Review the instructions on the screen and your Form AR3. Select the Personal tab at the top of the screen, then Deductions & Credits.
1. When you reach the Your 2023 Deductions & Credits screen, revisit any area where your deductions need to be modified and make the corrections.
2. When finished, scroll down to the bottom of the screen and select Done with Deductions. Then Continue.
3. Select the State Taxes tab at the top of the screen then Continue.
4. On the Your State Returns screen, select Edit next to Arkansas and you will be back at the Arkansas Federal Itemized Deductions screen. Select Continue.
  NOTE: For married filing separate taxpayers, make the appropriate selection for the question Did/will your spouse itemize deductions or take the standard deduction? Then Continue.
5. Continue through the state interview until you reach the Amend a Previous Arkansas Return screen. Select I’m finished, so let’s move on. Then Continue.
On the Ready to Review Your State Return screen, select Continue.
NOTE: No changes are being made to the Federal return, so please continue through those screens.

On the Review Your Return screen, select Continue.
On the Run State Review Again screen, select Done With Review.
On the You’re Done with 2023 Arkansas screen, select Done With States.
On the Let’s make sure your taxes are correct screen, select Continue.
On the Let’s Check These Entries screen, select Check Entries.
NOTE: No changes are being made to the Federal return, so please continue through those screens.

On the Run Smart Check Again screen, select Done.
On The Your Amended Return Summary screen, select Continue.
On the You’re Done! Print and Mail Your Returns screen, follow the instructions to print and save your amended Iowa return, then select Done.
NOTE: You are only amending your state tax return. The changes do not impact your Federal return, so please do not refile it.

Once your tax return has been printed, you need to sign, date, and mail the amended return. The mailing address and filing instructions are included on the File by Mail Instructions for your 2023 Arkansas Amended Tax Return.
NOTE: Be sure to Print and Save the amended return for your records.

If you have questions, call 844-333-2161 (Monday–Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM CT) to speak with a specialist. Mention 2023 Arkansas Standard versus Itemized Deductions so they know what you’re calling about.