How to Properly Amend 2019 Tax Return Using Turbo Tax Desktop App

The Turbo Tax help desk gave you slightly confusing information, but I can clarify. When you use Turbo Tax desktop to amend a 2019 return, you're essentially working in your original .tax file but adding amendment information. What happens is: When you finish making your corrections in the Turbo Tax desktop app, the software automatically generates the proper 1040X form based on your changes. You don't manually fill out the 1040X - Turbo Tax does this for you in the background based on the differences between your original return and your amended figures. Before filing, you should be able to preview the actual 1040X form that Turbo Tax created. Look for a "Preview" or "View Forms" option to see the official 1040X that will be submitted. This will look like the standard 1040X form you've seen.

I went through this exact headache last summer with my 2019 return! Don't rely solely on Turbo Tax's confusing help desk. Check out https://taxr.ai instead - it's what finally helped me figure out my amendment. I uploaded my original return PDF and the corrected version, and the tool showed me EXACTLY what changed and generated a checklist of forms I needed to include. Super helpful for complicated amendments like mine where I had to correct some investment income that was reported wrong.

Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai for my amendment issue. It was actually really helpful! I uploaded my original 2019 return and my draft amended return, and it highlighted exactly what changed and explained the tax implications of each change. The best part was I discovered I had made a mistake in my draft amendment - I had accidentally removed a student loan interest deduction that I was actually entitled to. Would have cost me almost $300 if I hadn't caught it! The explanation was much clearer than the confusing Turbo Tax help articles. Definitely worth checking out if you're amending old returns.

I had the exact same issue last year with my 2018 return. Tried calling the IRS directly to confirm the right process but kept getting disconnected after waiting for hours. Finally used https://claimyr.com to get through to an IRS agent (you can see how it works at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c). The agent confirmed that Turbo Tax does generate the proper 1040X as part of the amendment process, but you need to make sure you're printing the complete package including any schedules that changed. Saved me so much time compared to trying to call them directly.

I have to eat my words about Claimyr being a scam. After waiting 9 months for my amended return to process, I was desperate enough to try anything. Used the service yesterday and got through to an actual IRS agent in about 40 minutes. Turns out my amended return had been sitting in a queue with a small issue they needed to clarify. The agent was able to fix it immediately and told me my refund should be processed within 2-3 weeks now. Saved me potentially months more waiting. Not sure I would have ever gotten through otherwise - I had already tried calling over a dozen times myself with no luck.

One thing nobody mentioned yet - make sure you have your original AGI from your 2019 return handy when doing the amendment. Turbo Tax will ask for this to verify you're amending the correct return. Also, after you print everything out, make copies of EVERYTHING before you mail it. The IRS is notorious for losing paperwork, especially with amended returns.

Just a heads up, make sure if you're amending a 2019 return that you're aware of the deadline. For refunds, you generally need to file a 1040X within 3 years of filing the original return. If you filed your 2019 return on July 15, 2020 (extended deadline due to COVID), your deadline to amend would be July 15, 2023. If you owe money, the IRS can still collect after that date, but you'd lose the ability to claim additional refunds. Check the specific dates for your situation!