Amended Federal Tax Return

Tax Tips for Filing IRS Form 1040X (Amended Federal Tax Return)

Did you make a mistake on your Federal tax return that you need to correct?

First, you should know that not all errors require an amended tax return (IRS Form 1040X). If you made a mistake in the math, most likely the IRS will correct it without any action needed on your part. Additionally, if you forgot to include certain forms or schedules, it may not be necessary to amend your return because the IRS will contact you in writing to request the missing documents. It is important to be aware that, as a rule, the IRS will never contact you over the phone or via email. So you should not give out personal information over the phone or by email to anyone claiming to be with the IRS.

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In some cases, however, it may become necessary to amend your Federal income tax return. You must file an amended return (Form 1040X) if there has been a change in your filing status, income, tax deductions, or tax credits reported on your original return. There are other reasons for amending a return as well. For example, you may not have had complete information at the time you filed. Or, you may have been unaware that a certain item was taxable and then you received a reporting document indicating otherwise.

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If you think you may owe taxes when April 15 comes around, it is preferable to file a timely return knowing you will have to amend it, just so that you can pay the tax due on time and minimize the interest and penalties.

Can You Make Corrections on Your Tax Return?

Absolutely. Just because you already hit “submit” on your tax return doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it forever. Life happens, numbers get missed, forms show up late, and sometimes you just realize you didn’t include something important. That’s where the amended tax return comes in. If you forgot to report some income, made a mistake with your filing status, or realized you qualified for a deduction or credit you didn’t claim the first time, you can go back and fix it using IRS Form 1040-X.

This form is specifically designed to help you correct errors on a return that’s already been filed. It shows what you originally reported, what the correct numbers are, and the difference between the two. You’ll also include a brief explanation of why you’re making the changes. Depending on what year you’re amending, you might even be able to do it electronically; no need to print and mail unless the IRS says so.

When to File an Amended Tax Return

There are a few solid reasons to file an amended return. If you find out you forgot to report some income (maybe a 1099 came late or you had gig work you didn’t include) that’s a big one. You’ll also want to amend if you picked the wrong filing status, like single instead of head of household, or if you accidentally claimed someone as a dependent who shouldn’t have been.

Another good reason? Realizing you missed out on a tax credit or deduction that you were eligible for. Maybe you didn’t know you could claim education expenses or childcare costs. If fixing the mistake would get you a bigger refund or reduce the tax you owe, go for it. Just make sure you’re within the IRS’s time window: generally, that’s three years from the original due date of the return or two years from the date you paid the tax—whichever is later.

When NOT to File an Amended Tax Return

Not every mistake needs an amendment. If it’s something small like a simple math error, don’t stress. The IRS catches and fixes math issues automatically, so you don’t need to lift a finger. Same goes for missing forms like a W-2 or 1099—if the IRS already has a copy and it matches what you reported, you might not need to do anything at all.

Also, if your correction wouldn’t actually change your refund or tax balance, it might not be worth the time. Filing an amendment is a process, and it can take up to 20 weeks (or more) to get processed. If you’re just tweaking something that doesn’t impact your bottom line, you can probably skip it.

And if you’re already under audit or have received a notice from the IRS, it’s usually better to wait and respond to that first instead of jumping into an amended return right away. You don’t want to confuse the situation.

How to Amend a Tax Return That You Filed

The procedure for filing an amended return is relatively straightforward. Note that you can only file an amended return after you’ve filed your original return. Additionally, you cannot e-file an amended return — you will have to mail it in. To begin, you will need IRS Form 1040X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return).

Form 1040X contains 3 columns. In Column A, you’ll need to provide the amounts you entered on the original tax return. In Column C, you must provide the corrected figures. In Column B, enter the “net change” from Column A to Column C, which is the difference between the two amounts. On the second page of the form, you must explain each change, taking care to make the information as complete as you can (so the IRS can process your amended return as quickly as possible).

Here’s what you’ll need to mail to the IRS:

1. On the top of Form 1040X, indicate the tax year that you are amending. Note that you’ll need to file a separate Form 1040X for each year that must be amended, and each Form 1040X has to be mailed in a separate envelope. It is advisable to send the form by certified mail in order to be able to prove timely filing.
2. If it turns out that you owe additional tax, you can pay via check, money order, credit card, debit card, or EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System). To pay by check or money order, include your payment in the envelope with your amended return — but do not attach your payment to Form 1040X. To pay electronically (by credit card, debit card, or EFTPS), visit the “Payment Options” section of the IRS website.
3. Remember to include a copy of the tax return that you are amending (such as your 2012 Form 1040). You must provide copies of any previously filed forms or schedules that are affected by your changes, which may also include W-2 Forms that you received after filing the original return. Arrange these copies in order of the “Attachment Sequence No.” (shown at the upper right corner of the form/schedule) behind Form 1040X.

[NOTE: Taxpayers other than individuals may be required to file other forms and follow different procedures in order to amend a Federal tax return.]

When to File an Amended Return

Form 1040X should only be filed after you’ve submitted your original tax return. Note that it generally takes up to 12 weeks for the IRS to process a Form 1040X. You can check the status of your amended return by calling 1-866-464-2050, or by visiting IRS.gov and clicking on “Tools” and then “Where’s My Amended Return.”

If you’re seeking a tax refund or credit, you must file Form 1040X within 3 years (including tax extensions) after the date you filed your original return, or 2 years after you paid the tax, whichever is later. The bad news is that if you owe tax after the original payment deadline, you will now also owe interest and penalties.

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In addition to amending your Federal tax return, it’s also usually necessary to file an amended State return to report the Federal changes. In most cases, you should file an amended State return as quickly as possible in order to minimize the interest and penalties for any State tax balance due, or to expedite your State tax refund.

For more information about amended returns, please refer to the IRS Instructions for Form 1040X.

FAQ About Amended Federal Tax Returns

1. When should I file an amended tax return?

You should file an amended tax return if you realize you made a big mistake on your original filing, like leaving out income, claiming the wrong credits, or forgetting to deduct something you were eligible for. Basically, if the mistake affects how much you owe or your refund amount, it’s worth amending. If it’s just a tiny math error, though, you can relax because the IRS usually fixes simple math mistakes without you needing to file anything new.

2. How do I file an amended federal tax return?

To file an amended return, you’ll need to fill out IRS Form 1040-X. This form lets you show what you originally reported, what the correct numbers should be, and the difference between the two. You’ll also need to explain why you’re making the change. If you originally e-filed your tax return, you might be able to e-file your amendment too for certain years. If not, you’ll need to mail a paper form to the IRS. Remember to include any corrected or new forms, like a revised W-2 or 1099, along with your Form 1040-X.

3. How long do I have to file an amended return?

You typically have up to three years from the original filing deadline to file an amended return and still get a refund. If you paid tax late, you have two years from the date you paid it. After that window closes, you can still file an amendment, but you might not get any money back even if you overpaid. So it’s smart to act sooner rather than later if you realize you made a mistake.

4. How long does it take for the IRS to process an amended return?

It’s definitely a slow process. The IRS says it can take up to 20 weeks, and sometimes even longer during peak times. After you submit it, you can track the progress of your amended return using the IRS tool called “Where’s My Amended Return?” online. Just know that you probably won’t see much movement for at least a few weeks after sending it in.

5. Can I amend my state tax return too?

Yes, and if your federal amendment affects your state taxes, you should. Most states require you to file an amended state return if you’ve changed something on your federal return that impacts your state income. Each state has its own version of an amended form and its own process, so you’ll want to check your state tax agency’s website for instructions.

6. What if I end up owing more after filing an amended return?

If your amendment means you owe more taxes, it’s better to pay the balance as soon as you can to minimize any penalties or interest. You can send a payment along with your amended return or pay online through the IRS website. The longer you wait to pay, the more the interest and penalties can add up, so it’s smart to deal with it quickly, even if it’s a financial stretch.

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