If your situation falls outside the norm, it’s best to talk to a Keeper tax pro to get the latest and most accurate information. Once your return is ready to go, we’ll send it to you for a final review before sending it off to the IRS. If your amendment results in a bill, we’ll assist you in setting up your payments. In the more fun case where your amendment results in a refund, we’ll make sure that gets to you ASAP.
If you discover you missed a tax credit for several years, you generally can only amend returns for the prior three years to claim a tax refund. For example, you realized you qualified for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) but didn’t take it. So even if you owed no taxes, you could file an amendment and claim a tax refund. You can also amend your return electronically if your filing status changed or you need to add a dependent. If you are filing an amended joint return and each taxpayer will receive an IP PIN, enter your IP PIN in the space provided next to the box for your occupation on your Form 1040-X. Enter the spouse’s IP PIN in the space provided next to the box for the spouse’s occupation.
Get your refund on your amended return
An amended tax return is a form filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to correct mistakes or report omitted information on a previously accepted federal income tax return. Common changes involve adjustments to income, deductions, or credits that alter the final tax liability. This process is different from correcting a return that was rejected by the IRS upon its initial submission. If you are married and file a separate return, you generally report only your own income, deductions, and credits. Generally, you are responsible only for the tax on your own income. If you file a joint return, both you and your spouse (or former spouse) are generally responsible for the tax and interest or penalties due on the return.
Enter your bank account information on the electronically filed Form 1040-X or corrected Form 1040-SS/PR. If you submitted a paper version of Form 1040-X, you’ll receive a paper check. You won’t receive a refund for those types of changes, but you still need to file an amended tax return to avoid penalties and additional interest. You’ll need to file an amended tax return if you receive information after filing your original return that significantly changes your taxable income. It’s nice if amending your return results in a refund, but unfortunately, that is not always the case.
Be Aware of Late Filing Penalties
- If you mailed in your amended return instead of e-filing, you can track its status through the IRS Where’s My Amended Return tool.
- You also have a field (Part II) to explain exactly what changes you’re making and why.
- Then, figure the tax on the corrected amount of taxable income and the amount you owe or your refund.
- Generally, you are responsible only for the tax on your own income.
Here’s what you need to know before you amend your tax return. However, if you filed that same 2024 return late—say in August 2025—you’d still have until April 15, 2026 to amend, because the deadline is based on the original due date, not when you actually filed. The web pages currently in English on the FTB website are the official and accurate source for tax information and services we provide.
Line 13—Estimated Tax Payments
Don’t forget to attach a copy of your amended federal return (Form 1040-X) to your amended state return, if the state requires it, as is usually the case. You will be contacted if more information is needed to process your amended return. A new Form 8879 is required each time an amended Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR is electronically filed. “Requesting a high refund on an amended return does carry a high risk of being audited,” Stranger says, “But otherwise, I haven’t seen it overall increase risk more than any other return filing.” But it’s important to note that not every tax mistake necessarily requires an amended return.
Line 1—Adjusted Gross Income
If you received an IP PIN from the IRS, enter it in the IP PIN spaces provided next to the box for your occupation on your Form 1040-X. If you didn’t receive an IP PIN, leave these spaces blank. Enter on line 23 the amount, if any, from line 21 you want applied to your estimated tax for next year. You are changing amounts on your original return or as previously adjusted by the IRS. If you have a foreign address, enter the city name on the appropriate line.
LITCs can represent taxpayers in audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes before the IRS and in court. In addition, LITCs can provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language. For more information or to find an LITC near you, go to the LITC page at TaxpayerAdvocate.IRS.gov/LITC or see IRS Pub. 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List, at IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4134.pdf. You can file Form 1040-X electronically with tax filing software to amend Forms 1040, 1040-SR, and 1040-NR.
If you owe a tax bill
- Be sure to not include any personal taxpayer information.
- If you check the box for qualifying surviving spouse, and the qualifying person is a child but not your dependent, enter the child’s name in the space provided under the filing status checkboxes.
- If you are changing your withholding or excess SS/RRTA, attach to the front of Form 1040-X a copy of all additional or corrected Forms W-2 you received after you filed your original return.
- The IRS classifies some mistakes as “mathematical or clerical errors,” and it reserves the right to rectify those mistakes without any action from you.
However, you should file an amended tax return if there’s an issue that changes your filing status, income, deductions, or credits. For additional information, see Schedule 8812 (Form 1040) how to file an amended tax return and its instructions for the year of the tax return you are amending. File Form 1040-X only after you have filed your original return. You may amend your original return by filing Form 1040-X more than once, as long as each Form 1040-X is filed timely.
TURBOTAX ONLINE GUARANTEES
You can pay online through the IRS website or mail a check with your paper-filed Form 1040-X. If you file and pay by the original April tax deadline, you can avoid penalties and interest, but if you file after the deadline, the IRS will calculate any interest or penalties owed and send you a bill. You have a limited time frame in which to file an amended return. You must make any amendments within three years from the date you filed the original return or within two years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later. If you overlooked a valuable deduction, say, or forgot to report some of your income, you can simply file an amended return.
Filing an amended return isn’t particularly difficult, but there are a few things you should know about the process before getting started. It also helps to be familiar with some common occurrences that can trigger the need for an amended return. Beginning in February 2023, if you electronically file a Form 1040-X for tax year 2021 or later, you may request your refund be directly deposited into your checking or savings account.
By following this guide and utilizing Form 1040-X, you can confidently address errors and potentially unlock additional refunds or minimize liabilities. Remember, the journey to financial accuracy is a step towards empowerment. If you’re ever uncertain about any aspect of the amendment process, consulting with a tax professional can provide clarity and assurance. You generally must file an amended return within three years of the date you filed the original return or within two years after the date you paid the tax, whichever is later if you are attempting to get a refund. If you do have to file an amended return, keep in mind that the changes might also affect your state tax return.
“A little-known rule allows for a ‘superseding return’ that can be filed up to the due date of the tax return, including extensions, and replaces the tax return without any of these restrictions,” Stranger says. However, if you have a good cause, such as erroneous information sent to you, be sure to attach a statement with your amended return and ask for an abatement of the penalty. The IRS often grants abatements when taxpayers attempt to correct problems on their own and as soon as possible. Changing your federal income tax return could affect your state income tax return. You must amend both returns if you live in a state with income tax.
