Taxes & converted Roth - file an amendment?

[savan]

I'm pretty sure the answer is yes, but I thought I'd ask those who have done this before.

In February 2012 both DH and I contributed to a 2011 Traditional IRA and then a week later converted it to a Roth IRA.  After the conversion I called Vanguard to ask them what tax forms I needed to file our 2011 taxes.  I was told that they would send a form in May 2012 and another January 2013 and I didn't need to worry about it until then.  So I didn't.

I just started using Turbo Tax today and noticed a place to put IRA and Roth conversion information if you had contributed or planned to contribute between January and April 2013 for a 2012 IRA.  Basically, exactly what I had done last year for 2011.  Only, I didn't put that info in Turbo Tax last year because of what Vanguard had told me.  

I have to file an amendment for 2011, don't I?  We had about $100 in gain over the week before conversion so we still owe taxes on it.  I mistakenly believed we didn't have to pay until this year but Turbo Tax has led me to believe I am wrong.

[savan]

Jan 31, 2013 17:10:58 GMT -5 letsgetweird said:

The form sent in May 2012 should have been used to report the 2011 contribution on your 2011 taxes. Conversions are reported for the year they occur. So if I'm understanding correctly that you didn't report your 2011 contribution, yes, you need to amend.

That's exactly what I thought.  You are right.  I did not report my 2011 contribution.  I will amend.  At least I understand how it works now.

[savan]

As a follow up question...

Since they don't send the contribution form until May, does that mean you have to either amend or file an extension on your taxes any time you make a Jan thru April contribution for the previous year?