How to fix information showing in the wrong tax year

When preparing a tax return, it's important to select the correct tax year before entering your information. The current tax year appears at the top of the screen, while earlier years are listed under Prior Year Returns.

If you've accidentally entered information into the wrong year, don't worry. In most cases, you can start over and complete the return in the correct tax year.

Information Entered in the Wrong Tax Year

If you entered income, deductions, credits, tax payments, or other tax information into the wrong tax year, that information must be entered again in the correct return. Information cannot be automatically transferred between tax years.

For example, if you entered 2025 tax information into a 2026 return, you'll need to recreate the return in the proper year and re-enter the information.

How to Clear Your Return and Start Over

If you've started the current year's return but have not yet paid for or filed it, you can clear the return and begin again.

Follow these steps:

1. Select Settings from your profile menu in the upper-right corner.
2. Choose Payment History.
3. Scroll to the Return Options section.
4. Select a reason from the dropdown menu.
5. Click Clear Return.
6. Your current return information will be permanently deleted, and you will be automatically logged out.
7. Log back in to your account and start a new return.

Before clearing a return, make sure you no longer need any of the information entered, as this action cannot be undone.

Choosing the Correct Tax Year

The current tax year is always the default option when you log in.

If you need to prepare a prior-year return, sign in to your account and locate the tax year you want to file. Select the three-dot menu next to that year and choose Start New Return.

Creating the return under the correct tax year helps ensure your income, deductions, credits, and forms are reported properly.

E-Filing a Prior-Year Return

We do not support e-filing prior-year returns.

Once your prior-year return is complete, you must:

1. Print the return.
2. Sign and date it.
3. Attach copies of any required income documents, such as Forms W-2.
4. Mail the return to the appropriate taxing authority.

Viewing or Printing a Prior-Year Return

To view or print a prior-year return that was not electronically filed and accepted:

1. Log in to the account used to prepare the return.
2. Locate the applicable tax year.
3. Select the three-dot menu and choose View.
4. Navigate to Summary/Print from the left navigation menu.
5. Select Print to generate a PDF copy of the return.

What If I Already Filed Using the Wrong Tax Year?

The steps you need to take depend on the status of the return:

1. If the return was accepted with incorrect year-specific information, you should prepare and file an amended return.
2. If the return was not e-filed or was rejected, correct the information and submit the return again using the appropriate tax year.