how do i start a 1040x

It is too soon to amend a 2024 tax return.   You have to wait until it has been fully processed by the IRS.  Sometimes the IRS catches and corrects mistakes you made.   And the Form 1040X you will need is not available until mid-February.  Amending too soon can cause confusion and long delays.

To start a Form 1040_X in TurboTax you can use the instructions below. ‌

To Amend your Tax Return in TurboTax (Form 1040-X):

If you used TurboTax Online, you will

1.  log in to your account.
2. On the "Tax Home" screen scroll down to "Your Tax Returns & Documents " and 
3. Select the year you want to amend
4. Select "Amend" (change); return dropdown, then
5. "Amend using TurboTax Online" 
6. Continue through your screens and make the necessary changes
7. Answer all follow-up questions carefully

If you used our TurboTax Desktop (CD) 

1. Open TurboTax Desktop for the year you are amending (i.e. if you are amending a 2023 return, you must use the 2023 software)
2. Select “Amend a filed return” under "Need to Amend a Filed Return?"
3. Select "Amend" for the return you want to amend (if it is not an option select "Find a Tax File")
4. On the screen "Do You Need to Change Anything Else" make the changes you need to make
5. Answer all of the follow-up questions
6. Follow the TurboTax prompts to prepare your amended return
7. Select "Save as" from the "File" menu to save a copy of your amended return.

If you are amending your 2024 tax return and you filed your original 2024 tax return in TurboTax you will be able to e-file your amended return. ‌ There are some circumstances where you will be unable to e-file your amended 2024 return and you will have to mail it in. TurboTax will tell you if it has to be mailed.

If you're amending your return for 2023 or earlier, you need to print and mail your amended return. Follow these instructions to amend a prior-year return.

You can use this IRS tool to determine if you should amend your tax return, click here and select "Begin" to enter your information. It will ask you questions about your issue.

Three weeks after mailing your amendment, you can start tracking it at Where's My Amended Return? on IRS.gov.

Some things to keep in mind:

• You must wait until your original return has been accepted to amend it.
• Amend only if you need to make a change to a return you have already filed. 
• Wait until you get your refund or have paid your taxes. Have a copy of your original return at your side before you start. And be sure you use the correct year’s software of TurboTax.
• You must file a separate Form 1040-X for each tax return you are amending.
• Amended returns can take more than three months for the IRS to process.
• Gather your original tax return and any new documents needed to prepare your amended return.
• Print a copy of your return that you are amending and have it ready to refer to. 
• Use the same TurboTax account you used to file your original return. 
• Be sure to only make changes to the areas of your return that need amending.

Click here for how to file an amended return.

Click here for additional information on Form 1040X.