Federal 1040 Amend Instructions:
NOTE: If you used TurboTax CD/Download product to prepare and file your original return: Be sure to
update your product. Go to Online and click on Check for Update.
Open your 2011 Turbo Tax Federal return.
1) Go to Federal Taxes tab and click on Other Tax Situations
2) On the Other Tax Situations screen, scroll down to Other Tax Forms and click Start button next
to Amend a Return.
3) On the We’ll Guide You Through Your Amended Return, click Continue.
4) On the Have You Already Filed This Return? screen, indicate both “Yes, I need to amend a
return I already filed” and “I was contacted by TurboTax and told I may need to amend.”
5) The next screen will ask you about the original federal refund you received or the amount you
paid on your original federal return.
6) If you received a refund on your original tax return, you’ll see this type of screen.
(Please refer to Steps 7-9 on how to make a correct selection on this screen.)
However, if you paid an amount on your original federal return, please skip to Step 10
7) The amount showing is the overpayment of tax on your original return including any amounts
you might have applied to your 2012 tax return. See form 1040, line 73; form 1040A, line 42;
form 1040EZ, line 11a.
An example: Your overpayment was $3,744 and you applied $3,000 of it to your 2012 tax
return. You received a refund of $744.
The screen shows $3,744. This is the amount overpayment prior to applying any amount of the
refund to next year. See below for the original return amounts.
8) If the interview screen is showing the correct amount of overpayment (line 73 above)
a. Select “I received the $xxxx refund from my original return”
b. Click Continue.
9) If the amount on the interview screen is not the correct amount received
a. Then select “I received a different refund than the one on my original return”
b. Enter the correct amount even if you received more refund than expected.
c. Click Continue.
10) If you paid an amount on your original federal return, you’ll see this type of screen.
(Please refer to Steps 11-13 on how to make a correct selection on this screen)
11) The amount showing is the original amount due (Form 1040, line 76 or Form 1040A, line 45 or
Form 1040EZ, line 12) not including any penalties you might have paid (Form 1040, line 77 or
Form 1040A, line 46.)
An example: The amount you owed was $1,270 that includes $14 of tax penalty. The screen
shows $1,256 - the amount paid less the penalty ($1,270 less $14 = $1,256). See below for the
original return amounts.
12) If the screen shows the correct amount that you paid (not including penalties)
a. Select “I paid the $XXXX I owed”
b. Click Continue.
13) If the screen does not show the correct amount that you paid
a. Select “I paid a different amount than what I owed.”
b. Then select “I paid with the original return”
c. Enter the correct amount
d. Click Continue.
14) The next screen will ask you about the original state refund you received or the amount you
paid on your original state tax return. Since your state return was not impacted with this issue,
click Continue.
15) On the Enter Your Explanation screen, enter this wording: “The original tax return incorrectly
included a child tax credit. This amended return does not include that credit. “
16) This screen will explain the refund or balance due on your amended federal return. Read this
screen and click Continue.
Now it’s time to print and mail your amended return. Follow these steps:
1) Go to the Print & File tab and click on Print/Save for Your Records.
2) On the Print and Save Center, click on Print Returns
3) On the Print screen:
a. Choose All official forms required for filing
b. Check the box for 2011 Federal Tax Return
c. Be sure the State Tax Return box is unchecked
4) Click Print button
5) The forms to mail will print.
6) The instructions will indicate any balance due that you need to pay or refund that you will
receive. It will also include the address to mail your amended return.
7) Be sure to print out an extra copy to keep for your records.