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Tax Tips | Ten Facts About Amending Your Federal Income Tax Return
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Ten Facts About Amending Your Federal Income Tax Return
April 13, 2010
You can make a change or an adjustment to a tax return you've already filed by
filing an amended return.
Here are the top 10 things from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about
amending your federal tax return.
1. If you need to amend your tax return, use Form 1040X, Amended U.S.
Individual Income Tax Return.
2. Use Form 1040X to correct previously filed Forms 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ.
The 1040X can also be used to correct a return filed electronically. However,
you can only paper file an amended return.
3. You should file an amended return if you discover any of the following
items were reported incorrectly: filing status, dependents, total income,
deductions or credits.
4. Generally, you do not need to file an amended return for math errors. The
IRS will automatically make the correction.
5. You usually do not need to file an amended return because you forgot to
include tax forms such as W-2s or schedules. The IRS normally will send a
request asking for those documents.
6. 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.
7. If you are amending more than one tax return, prepare a 1040X for each
return and mail them in separate envelopes to the IRS campus for the area in
which you live. The 1040X instructions list the addresses for the campuses.
8. If the changes involve another schedule or form, you must attach it to the
1040X.
9. 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.
10. If you owe additional tax for 2009, you should file Form 1040X and pay
the tax as soon as possible to limit interest and penalty charges. Interest is
charged on any tax not paid by the due date of the original return, without
regard to extensions.
Helpful Link on IRS.gov
Topic 308 - Amended Returns
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc308.html
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