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Amend Your Prior Year Tax Return Using Original Tax Information (2007 or Earlier)

Updated: 4/07/2009
Article ID: 3628

If you have not made corrections in TurboTax since filing your return, you'll use your original tax information to amend your return. Your original amounts will flow to Form 1040X, and to complete the form, you'll enter the corrected amounts.

Important: You would amend a return only if you needed to make a change after you filed it. If you have not filed your tax return, you don't need to amend it. Simply correct your return in TurboTax, then file it by mail. 
 

Follow these steps:

  1. Make a copy of your original tax return
  2. Answer a few questions about your amended return.
  3. Open your state return (if you filed one).
  4. Make changes to your federal return.
  5. Answer a few more questions about your amended return.
  6. Run the federal Error Check.
  7. Make changes to your state return and run the state review.
  8. Print and review your amended returns.
  9. Sign and mail your amended returns. (Note: Amended returns can't be e-filed.)

Make a copy of your original tax return

Follow these steps:

Windows

  1. On the File menu in TurboTax, select Open Tax Return.
    • A window should automatically open for the TurboTax folder on your computer. Select the tax return you've already filed (e.g., 2007 Doe J Tax Return.tax) and click Open.
    • If you do not see your tax return in this folder, browse to locate your tax return file on your computer. Select the tax return you've already filed (e.g., 2007 Doe J Tax Return.tax) and click Open.
  2. On the File menu, select Save As. In the Save Tax Return window, enter a different name (e.g., Amend 2007 Doe J Tax Return.tax), and then click Save.

amend-2

Important: The saved return is a copy of your original return. You'll use the copy to amend your return.
 

 

Mac

  1. On the File menu in TurboTax, select Open Tax Return, and then select the return you’ve already filed (e.g. 2007 Doe J Tax Return.tax).
  2. Click Open. The tax return will open in a separate window with the file name at the top.
  3. On the File menu, select Save As. Enter a different name (e.g., Amend 2007 Doe J Tax Return.tax), and then click Save.
Important: The saved return is a copy of your original return. You'll use the copy to amend your return.
 

 

TurboTax Online

  1. Log into TurboTax Online. Click here for help, if you're having trouble logging in.
  2. Download a PDF copy of your prior year return.
  3. Print a copy of your PDF return.
  4. In the downloaded version of TurboTax where you will be amending, use the PDF file to enter your tax return data exactly as you filed it with the IRS and your state.
  5. Follow the steps above (for Windows or Mac, depending on which downloaded version of TurboTax you are using) to save your original return and create a new copy for your amended return.

Answer a few questions about your amended return

Note: If you need to amend your federal return, and it affects your refund amount or the amount of taxes you owe, you also need to amend your state return.
 

If you are amending a 2007 return:

  1. Select the Federal Taxes tab (Personal tab in Home & Business) then the Other subtab.
  2. On the Other screen, click the Select Specific Topics button.
  3. Click Other Tax Forms.
  4. Next to Amend a Return, click Start.
  5. Follow the instructions for amending a return until you get back to the Other screen.

If you are amending a 2006 return:

  1. Select the Federal Taxes tab (Personal tab in Home & Business) then the Miscellaneous subtab.
  2. On the Choose How to Enter Your Miscellaneous Items screen, click the Select Specific Topics button.
  3. Next to Amend a Return, click Start.
  4. Follow the instructions for amending a return until you get back to the Miscellaneous screen.

Open your state return (if you filed one)

Note: Information flows from your federal return to your state return, so you will need to open your state return before you make any changes.
 

 Follow these steps:

  1. Click the State Taxes tab then select your state.
  2. Click Continue.
  3. When the Interview starts asking questions about your state return, stop.
  4. Move on to changing information on your federal return, described next.

Make changes to your federal return

Follow these steps:

  1. Click the Federal Taxes tab (Personal tab in Home & Business).
  2. Enter changes to your federal (1040) return on the Interview screens.
  3. If you need to change your personal info or dependents, click the Personal Info tab.
  4. To quickly find the specific area of your tax return that you want to change, click Search Topics or Forms or Topic List.

Answer a few more questions about your amended return

Follow these steps:

  1. Click the Federal Taxes tab (Personal tab in Home & Business).
  2. Select Search Topics or Forms, enter amended return then click GO.
  3. On the Amend This Return screen, select Continue working on this amended return, then click Continue.amend-9
  4. Continue this section of the Interview for amending a return and answer the questions.
  5. On the Explanation of Changes screen, enter the reasons for your changes.
  6. Follow the instructions for amending a return until you get back to the:
    • Other screen (2007)
    • Miscellaneous screen (2006)

Run the federal Error Check

Follow these steps:

  1. Click the Federal Review tab, then click Error Check.
  2. Resolve any errors that TurboTax finds

Make changes to your state return and run the state review

Note: All changes you made on your federal return have flowed over to your state return, so there's no need to make them again.
 

 

  1. Click the State Taxes tab, then select your state.
  2. Enter changes to your state return on the Interview screens. To quickly find a specific area you want to change, click Topic List.
  3. When you're finished making changes to your state return, go to the Amend section in your state return, usually found in the last section before the State Review. To quickly find the amend section, use the Topic List to look for and open one of these topic names (it varies by state, and sometimes you have to expand the topic to find the amend section):
    • Other Forms You May Need (most common)
    • Additional Forms
    • Other Forms
  4. The Amend section should show that your state return is already being amended (for example, the checkbox -- next to the question asking if you want to amend -- should be checked).
  5. Now answer the interview questions about your amended state return. Most state programs have you fill in the actual amended tax form on the screen.
  6. Be sure to fill in the explanation or reasons for amending your state return.
  7. After you're done filling in the amended form, return to the Interview.
  8. Continue through the Interview screens and run the State Review.
  9. Resolve any errors that TurboTax finds.

Print and review your amended returns

Important: Amended returns can't be e-filed.
 

 

  1. Click the Print & File tab.
  2. Follow the instructions to print your returns for filing by mail.
  3. Review your amended returns.
Note: On Form 1040X, your original amounts appear in column A. The corrected amounts you entered appear in column C. The difference between the original and corrected amounts appears in column B. Other corrections you made (e.g., number of exemptions) also appear on Form 1040X.
 

Sign and mail your amended returns

Sign and mail Form 1040X, your state amendment form, and any supporting forms to the addresses on the printed filing instructions.

Note: You file only Form 1040X and any forms or schedules that differ from those you filed with your original return (Form 1040). Be sure to write "Amended" on the top of each form you attach to Form 1040X. You do not need to refile your original return.
 

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