As a tax preparer, you may have the opportunity to amend a federal tax return prepared by someone else. To do so, you will need to enter the taxpayer's information just as you would with any client, however you may find that you're not be able to duplicate the original return in every detail.
The good news is that you don't need to recreate the other preparer's work in every detail, rather you will create the return as it should have been done.
Before beginning this process be sure to have in-hand all the tax documents and other paperwork and information you will need to create the return as if you are the original preparer. Hopefully the taxpayer can provide you with a copy of the entire original return for you to examine to see what needs to be changed as well as ensure you don't inadvertently omit something, but if they can't supply a copy of the entire return you at least need a copy of the original Form 1040 for the purpose of completing the Original column of Form 1040-X.
You will not be able to amend the return without a copy of the original accepted Form 1040.
When entering a client's federal tax return for the purpose of amending it, follow this procedure:
- Create the original federal tax return as it should have been.
- Start the amended return.
- For 2020 and forward, when asked if you'd like to pull data to the original column,
answer No. - For 2019 and prior years, when asked which column to pull choose "Corrected Column".
- Manually enter the amended return original column numbers. If you're not sure where in the original return to find the amount needed for a particular menu line, see the KB article below regarding original column sources for help.
The usual procedure for amending a federal tax return you originated is to first pull in the original column on the amended return, then correct the return, then pull in the corrected column, but it's best to reverse this procedure when you are amending a return you didn't create originally.
To mark Form 1040-X for electronic filing, the original 1040 also needs to be marked for electronic filing. When marking the original return for e-file, you'll be asked about how the taxpayer wishes to receive their refund or pay their balance due, whichever applies. Since you're not filing the original return the method you specify isn't critical, so to avoid having to enter bank information choose an "Electronic mail" method of e-filing rather than, as the case may be, direct deposit or direct debit.
If you are unfamiliar with amending a tax return in TaxSlayer Pro, follow the links below for instructions.
Additional Information:
Desktop: Form 1040-X Original Column Sources
Desktop: Tax Year 2020 and forward - Creating and E-Filing an Amended Return
Desktop: Tax Year 2019 - Creating and E-Filing an Amended Return
Desktop: Tax Year 2018 and prior - Creating an Amended Return