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Amended Returns



Ten Facts about Amended Tax Returns

Did you discover that you made a mistake after you filed your federal tax return?  You can make it right by filing an amended tax return.  Here are the top ten things to know about filing an amended tax return.

1.  Use Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to correct errors on your tax return.  You must file an amended return on paper.  It can’t be e-filed.

2.  You usually should file an amended tax return if you made an error claiming your filing status, income, deductions or credits on your original return.

3.  You normally don’t need to file an amended return to correct math errors. The IRS will automatically make those changes for you.  Also, do not file an amended return because you forgot to attach tax forms, such as a W-2 or schedule.  The IRS will usually send you a request for those.

4.  You usually have three years from the date you filed your original tax return to file Form 1040X to claim a refund.  You can file it within two years from the date you paid the tax, if that date is later.  That means the last day for most people to file a 2010 claim for a refund is April 15, 2014.  See the 1040X instructions for special rules that apply to certain claims. 

5.  If you are amending more than one tax return, prepare a 1040X for each year.  You should mail each year in separate envelopes.  Note the tax year of the return you are amending at the top of Form 1040X.  Check the form’s instructions for where to mail your return.

6.  If you use other IRS forms or schedules to make changes, make sure to attach them to your Form 1040X.

7.  If you are due a refund from your original return, wait to receive that refund before filing Form 1040X to claim an additional refund.  Amended returns take up to 12 weeks to process.  You may spend your original refund while you wait for any additional refund.

8.  If you owe more tax, file your Form 1040X and pay the tax as soon as possible.  This will reduce any interest and penalties.

9.  You can track the status of your amended tax return three weeks after you file with ‘Where’s My Amended Return?’ This tool is available on IRS.gov or by phone at 866-464-2050.  It’s available in English and in Spanish.  The tool can track the status of an amended return for the current year and up to three years back.

10.  To use ‘Where’s My Amended Return?’ enter your taxpayer identification number, which is usually your Social Security number.  You will also need your date of birth and zip code.  If you have filed amended returns for multiple years, select each year one by one.

IRS Offers Tips on How to Fix Errors Made on Your Tax Return

If you discover an error after you file your tax return, you can correct it by amending your return.  Here are 10 tips from the Internal Revenue Service about amending your federal tax return:

1.  When to amend a return  Generally, you should file an amended return if your filing status, number of dependents, total income, tax deductions or tax credits were reported incorrectly or omitted.   Additional reasons for amending a return are listed in the instructions.

2.  When NOT to amend a return  In some cases, you do not need to amend your tax return.   The IRS usually corrects math errors or requests missing forms – such as Forms W-2 or schedules – when processing an original return.   In these instances, do not amend your return.

3.  Form to use  Use Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to amend a previously filed Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ.   Make sure you check the box for the year of the return you are amending on the Form 1040X.   An amended tax return cannot be filed electronically.

4.  Multiple amended returns  If you are amending more than one year’s tax return, prepare a separate 1040X for each return and mail them in separate envelopes to the appropriate IRS processing center (see “Where to File” in the instructions for Form 1040X).

5.  Form 1040X  The Form 1040X has three columns.  Column A shows original figures from the original return.  Column B shown the changes you are making.   Column C shows the corrected figures.  There is an area on the back of the form to explain the specific changes and the reasons for the changes.

6.  Other forms or schedules  If the changes involve other schedules or forms, attach them to the Form 1040X.  Failure to do this will cause a delay in processing.

7.  Additional refund  If you are amending your return to get an additional refund, wait until you have received your original refund before filing Form 1040X.   You may cash that check while waiting for any additional refund.

8.  Additional tax If you owe additional tax, you should file Form 1040X and pay the tax as soon as possible to limit interest and penalty charges.

9.  When to file  Generally, to claim a refund, you must file Form 1040X within three years from the date you filed your original tax return or within two years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later.

10.  Processing time Normal processing time for amended returns is 8 to 12 weeks.



Amended Returns:  Eight Facts

If you discover an error on your federal income tax return after you e-filed or mailed it, you may want or need to amend your return. Perhaps you are eligible for a deduction or credit and you missed it the first time?

Here are eight key points the IRS wants you to know about when considering whether to file an amended federal income tax return.

1.  Use Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to file an amended income tax return.

2.  Use Form 1040X to correct previously filed Forms 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. An amended return cannot be e-filed; you must file it by paper.

3.  Generally, you do not need to file an amended return to correct math errors. The IRS will automatically make that correction. Also, do not file an amended return because you forgot to attach tax forms such as W-2s or schedules. The IRS normally will send a request asking for those.

4.  Be sure to enter the year of the return you are amending at the top of Form 1040X. Generally, you must file Form 1040X within three years from the date you filed your original return or within two years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later.

5.  If you are amending more than one tax return, prepare a 1040X for each return and mail them in separate envelopes to the appropriate IRS campus. The 1040X instructions list the addresses for the campuses.

6.  If the changes involve another schedule or form, you must attach that schedule or form to the amended return.

7.  If you are filing to claim an additional refund, wait until you have received your original refund before filing Form 1040X. You may cash that check while waiting for any additional refund.

8.  If you owe additional 2011 tax, file Form 1040X and pay the tax before the due date to limit interest and penalty charges that could accrue on your account. Interest is charged on any tax not paid by the due date of the original return, without regard to extensions.
  • Home
  • About
    • Book An Appointment
  • Accounting
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    • QuickBooks >
      • QuickBooks Updates
    • Store
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  • Taxes
    • Dashboard
    • Individuals
    • Businesses
    • Tax Stuff >
      • Individuals >
        • Income >
          • Debt Forgiveness
          • Foreign Income
          • Gambling Income
          • Unemployment
          • Other Income
        • Deductions & Credits >
          • Adoption
          • Charitable Contributions
          • Earned Income Tax Credit
          • Educational Expenses
          • Energy Tax Credits
          • Employee Business Expenses
          • Other Deductions and Credits
        • Affordable Care Act - Individuals
        • Children and Dependents
        • Death
        • Disabled Taxpayers
        • Educators
        • Health Care
        • Identify Theft
        • Marriage and Divorce
        • Military
        • Real Estate
        • Retirement Savings
        • Seniors
        • State Taxes
        • Record Keeping
        • Who Must File
        • Other Topics
      • Businesses >
        • Affordable Care Act - Businesses
        • Year-end Reporting Obligations >
          • 1099's
          • Health Insurance Premiums
          • Depreciation
          • Reimbursed Employee Business Expenses
          • Company Automobiles
        • Employment Tax Credits
        • Independent Contractors
        • Tax Credits and Deductions for Businesses
        • Other Business Topics
        • Required Business Posters
      • Amended Returns
      • IRS Notices and Problems
      • Tax Plan >
        • All About the Earned Income Tax Credit
        • 5 IRS Audit Red Flags
        • Retirement Plans for Sole Proprietors
        • Are You Claiming All of Your Tax-Deductable Business Expenses for 2015?
        • All About Past Due Tax Returns
        • Do You Need to File Form 1099s?
        • How to File an Appeal with the IRS
        • Why You Might Get a Letter from the IRS, and What to Do
        • How to File an Amended Tax Return
        • Should You Claim the Home Office Deduction?
        • How to Avoid -- And Deal with -- Identify Theft
        • Q & A: IRS Audits
        • Are You Using the Right Business Structure?
        • Starting Planning for 2015 Income Taxes Now: 5 Tips
        • What You Need to Know About Estimated Taxes
        • Contractor or Employee? How the Income Tax Obligations Differ
        • The New Form 1095-A: Reporting Health Insurance Coverage
        • Are Your Social Security Payments Taxable?
        • Do You Qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit?
        • Are You Eligible for Health Insurance Tax Credits
        • Employee Retirement Plans - Tax Advantages and Other Benefits
        • 5 Business Tax Credits You May Be Missing
        • New Business in 2012
        • Is it a Bad Debt or a Simple Revenue Loss? Telling the Difference
        • Business Taxes Add Complexity: How Will This Affect You?
      • Tax Scams