Filing your taxes 101

Introduction

So you’ve found a mistake after the IRS officially accepts your return. What now? Is there anything actually wrong with it? If the IRS approved it, doesn’t that mean your tax return was fine after all?

Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. You normally don’t need to correct math errors—the IRS will catch and make those changes for you. If you didn’t attach a required tax form, the IRS will usually send a request for it before actually approving your return.

On the other hand, mistakes having to do with personally identifiable information (PII), filing status, dependents, total income, or tax breaks should be fixed.

To fix the mistake, you’ll need to file an amended return using Form 1040X.

What is Form 1040X?

Form 1040X – Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return is a special tax form used to correct errors on your tax return. It serves like a road map that details any mistakes and guides the IRS to your corrections.

Your Form 1040X is only one part of the amended return; make sure to attach your new and improved tax return with all the correct information on it. Once you have everything you need, you’ll need to print and mail the Form 1040X and tax return in a single package.

When should You file Form 1040X?

The IRS says you probably need to amend your return if you made a mistake on your filing status, your income, deductions or credits on your original return. You should also amend your return if you need to:

Correct information on your Form 1040, 1040-A, 1040-EZ, 1040-NR, or 1040-NR EZ

Make certain elections after the prescribed deadline
Change amounts previously adjusted by the IRS
Make a claim for a carryback due to a loss or unused credit

If you’re due a refund from your original return, wait until you get the refund before filing Form 1040X to claim an additional refund. On the other hand, if you owe more tax, you should file the amended return – and pay the tax – as soon as possible to reduce any interest and penalties.

There’s a three-year window to file an amended return in order to claim a refund. That means you have three years from the date you e-filed your original return, or two years from the date you paid the tax, if that date is later. For example, the last day for most taxpayers to file a 2016 claim for a refund is April 15, 2020.

There are some special rules that may apply, so check out the 1040X instructions for those.

Amending more than one return? You’ll need to prepare a 1040X for each year you amend. Write the year of the return at the top of the 1040X. Form instructions should tell you where to mail it.

Form 1040X Instructions

Filing an amended return is simple as identifying what issues need to be addressed.

What should I include with a Form 1040X?

You should include a copy of your tax return with any incorrect or missing information fixed. Document and record the changed information on the Form 1040X, and then mail the amended return with the Form 1040X to your nearest IRS office.

Can you file a Form 1040X online?

While you can’t send the amended return online, you can use your online tax-filing service to fix the tax return and fill out the Form 1040X. Once those are finished, simply print and send them to your nearest IRS office.

Where do I mail my Form 1040X?

IF you are filing Form 1040X:	THEN mail Form 1040X and attachments to:
In response to a notice you received from the IRS	The address shown in the notice
With Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ	Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Austin, TX 73301-0215
If none of the situations listed above apply to you, mail your return to the Internal Revenue Service Center shown next that applies to you.
IF you live in:	THEN mail Form 1040X and attachments to:
Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas	Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Austin, TX 73301-0052
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming	Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Fresno, CA 93888-0422
Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia	Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Kansas City, MO 64999-0052
A foreign country, U.S. possession or territory*; or use an APO or FPO address, or file Form 2555, 2555-EZ, or 4563; or are a dual-status alien	Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Austin, TX 73301-0215
If you live in American Samoa, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or the Northern Mariana Islands, see IRS Publication 570.

Amending Your Return with Express Multiservices

Since your return has already been accepted, you start the amending process with a 1040X. To add the screen, click on Review on the left, then search for “1040X” using the search box at the bottom of the screen.

Before you start filling out Form 1040X, make sure you print your original return, so that you’ll have it to refer to.

Fill out Form 1040X with the information from your original return. At the bottom of the screen, you also must explain why you’re amending your return. Save Form 1040X, then correct your return using the other forms on the site, as needed.

Then print your complete return, including Form 1040X, and mail to the IRS address provided above. And make sure you sign page 2 of Form 1040X.

If your state return is accepted, you’ll also need to file an amended state return. Check your state’s tax department website for information on how to do that.

You can track your federal amended return here.