Amending a return originally made by a preparer

Sputnicktator_1

Hi all,

I need to amend two previous federal/state returns because they were filed by a preparer who made some mistakes. Based on the instructions I'm seeing, if I want to e-file the amendment, then I need to exactly replicate the original return first. I don't know if this means that I need to make sure all of the math checks out, so that FreeTaxUSA can properly calculate the amendment, or if it literally means that every single line needs to be the same.

If the latter, then I need to input my preparer's information through FreeTaxUSA. I can fill everything out, but I'm guessing as a form of identity protection, it requires the preparer's email, and I don't know if this means that he would be contacted. As such, if I need to input this information, it seems like I need to get him involved.

Does anyone here have experience with this? Am I approaching this from the right angle?

Thanks.

rachels

Hi Sputnicktator,

It would mean the second thing you said: every line needs to be the same.

That being said, the preparer information does not need to be included when you re-create the return, since that does not affect the return calculation amounts.

Please note that when you file an amendment, the 1040-X (prepared by FreeTaxUSA) compares the original amounts to the amendment amounts to figure the net change to your income and taxes. This is why you have to re-create the original return (the numbers, not necessarily the preparer information section) before amending your return with us.