Amend federal and state return?

Question

I e-filed my NC state return then I discovered a mistake when I printed out a hard copy...I accidentally put down the state income tax withheld from my paycheck as "other federal taxable income deductions," according to my state return. So the "state income tax withheld" block is left blank. I want to correct this. Does it mean I have to amend both my federal and state returns?

I'm currently getting $97 back for my federal and owe the state $774, if that information helps any

Answer 1

Yes, you'll have to amend your federal return as well as your state.

Answer 2

It depends.

If you reported the state withholding per your W-2 as a Federal tax deduction on Schedule A of Form 1040, you did nothing wrong. No amending necessary.

If you forgot to take the deduction and you do itemize, your Federal return needs to be amended.

If you forgot to take the deduction, and you do not itemize, there is no need to file an amended Federal return.

If you forgot to report the state withholding on your state tax return, you can amend, if you wish. However, the state will, in time, discover your mistake,
and recalculate the tax and refund. In time, might mean within 3 months;
otherwise, if you file an amended State return reporting the withholding, the
processing can take upwards of six months.

Not reporting your withholding on either a Federal and/or State return is a foolish mistake. All it does is delay the payment of your refund. Such a mistake does not happen when you use an outside service to prepare your taxes.

Answer 3

If your federal return was correct and the error was only on your state return, then you'd only amend the state return, not the federal.