What to do if you discover a mistake on a previously filed tax return (and other reasons for filing an amended tax return).
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
It's often said that everyone makes mistakes. And sometimes, when taxes are involved, some of those mistakes turn up on annual tax returns. Maybe you discover an error right after you filed your tax return, or perhaps months (or even years) pass before you realize that a new development changed the amount of tax that you should have paid on a prior return. Thankfully, whether the mistake is in your favor or not, filing an amended tax return can be the next best step.
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. So, here are 11 tips on how and when to file an amended tax return.
What if you filed your tax return but discover a mistake the very next day? If the filing deadline, including extensions, hasn't passed, then you don't want to file an amended tax return. Instead, you can file a "superseding return." Basically, if you file a second return before the filing deadline, the second return "supersedes" the first return and is treated as the original return.
Say, for example, you filed a 2023 return in March 2024 and, instead of getting a refund, elected to apply your overpayment against your 2024 tax liability. But then you lost your job in March and wanted to get your refund this year. If you filed a superseding return before the April 15 tax deadline (or the Oct. 15 deadline if you were granted an extension), you'll receive the refund in 2024.
You don't need to file an amended return if you discover a simple math or clerical error on your return. The IRS can correct those types of mistakes on its own. Also, if you forgot to attach a particular form or schedule to your tax return, you don't need to file an amended return to address that. The IRS will contact you by mail if they need additional information to fix those kinds of errors. However, you should file an amended tax return if there's an issue that changes your filing status, income, deductions or credits.
If you do need to file an amended personal income tax return, you will probably need to submit IRS Form 1040-X, which is used to:
You can now e-file amended Forms 1040, 1040-SR and 1040-NR for any tax year after 2018. You can also amend your return electronically if your filing status changed or you need to add a dependent.
Note: You can still use the paper version of the Form 1040-X if you want. If you choose that option, be sure to follow the instructions for submitting the paper form.
You can use Form 1045 instead of Form 1040-X in limited situations. For example, Form 1045 might be an option if you had to repay income that was previously taxed or you're carrying back certain losses or tax credits. You should also use Form 843 if you're requesting a refund of penalties and interest or an addition to tax that you already paid.
Also make sure that you file a separate Form 1040-X for each tax year. Submit them separately, too. If filing a paper return, check the box at the top of the form to indicate the tax year for the return being amended. If there isn't a box for that year, write in the year in the space provided.
Don't forget to sign the amended return. Attach any required forms or schedules as well. Generally, you need to attach any schedule or form relating to the changes you're making. For example, attach Schedule A if you're changing an itemized deduction. The form instructions tell you which other attachments are necessary.
Generally, you must file an amended tax return within three years from the date you filed your original return or within two years from the date you paid any tax due, whichever is later. If you filed your original return before the due date (April 15, 2024 for 2023 returns), it's considered filed on the due date. There are a number of special due-date rules for amended returns that are based on changes related to bad debts, foreign tax credits, net operating losses, natural disasters, service or injury in a combat zone, and a few other situations—check the instructions for Form 1040-X for details.
Don't file your amended tax return too quickly, though. If you are due a refund on your original return, wait until you actually receive the refund before filing an amended return for that tax year.
It's nice if amending your return results in a refund, but, unfortunately, that is not always the case. If you owe the government money as a result of filing an amended return, pay the tax bill as soon as possible to avoid additional penalties and interest charges.
There are several ways to pay the IRS. You can pay online or by phone, mobile device, cash, check or money order (see the instructions for Form 1040-X for details).
If you can't pay the full amount right away, the IRS recommends asking for an installment agreement that will allow you to make monthly payments. You'll still pay interest and penalties and probably a fee to set up the agreement. Other, potentially less-costly alternatives include bank loans or credit card payments.
You can track the status of your amended tax return online using the IRS's "Where's My Amended Return?" tool or by calling 866-464-2050. You can get the status of your amended returns for the current tax year and up to three prior years. The automated system will tell you if your return has been received, adjusted or completed. To access the system, all you need is your Social Security number, date of birth and zip code.
It can take up to three weeks after you mail your amended return for it to show up in the IRS's system. After that, processing can take sixteen weeks or longer.
Now let's get into some of the more common reasons why you might want to file an amended tax return. Many people file an amended tax return to claim an overlooked tax deduction or credit. The tax code is full of tax breaks, so it's easy to miss one that applies to you.
If you discover a tax deduction or tax credit that you qualify for after filing your original return, simply file an amended return within the three-year period described above to claim that deduction or credit now and get a refund. Filing an amended return might not be worth the effort if doing so is only going to reduce your taxes for that year by a few dollars, but you do have the option.
If there are any retroactive tax laws enacted that include new or expanded tax breaks, you'll want to check your previous tax returns to see if you can take advantage of the new law or laws. If a new or expanded tax break that benefits you materializes later in the year, submit your Form 1040-X as soon as possible to get a refund for some of the taxes you already paid.
You'll need to file an amended tax return if you receive information after filing your original return that significantly changes your taxable income. For example, you might receive an amended W-2 form or a 1099 form showing previously unreported income (enough to make a difference on your return). If the new information affects the deductions or credits that you claimed on your original return — for example, by upping your income to a point where the tax break is reduced or no longer available to you — you'll need to file an amended return for that too.
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.
Changes you make on an amended tax return that affect your income, tax deductions or tax liability may also affect the amount of (or cause you to owe) the alternative minimum tax. So be sure to check that as well.
If you are the victim of a hurricane, wildfire or other natural disaster, you might be able to file an amended tax return to claim a casualty loss deduction for the tax year before the disaster. Alternatively, you can claim the loss in the year of the disaster. You should select whichever tax year is more favorable to you.
However, the loss must be attributable to a federally declared disaster that occurred in an area warranting public and/or individual assistance. Otherwise, this special rule doesn't apply.
If you decide to claim the loss for the year before the disaster, you must file your amended tax return no later than six months after the due date for filing your original return (without extensions) for the year in which the loss took place. So, for example, if the disaster occurred in 2023, and you want to claim your loss on your 2022 return, you should have filed an amended 2022 return by October 16, 2023.
Also note that a personal casualty and theft loss deduction is generally subject to a $100-per-casualty limit. It also can't exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income, and you have to itemize to claim it.
If you prepare your own tax returns, it's best to fill out both your federal and state returns before actually submitting either one. But, sometimes, that's just not possible. You might be too busy to do them both at once, so you send in your federal return (which has to be done first) one day, and put off your state return for another day.
Then, when you're finally working on your state return, you realize that something you did on your federal return is going to cost you more in state taxes than what it saves you in federal taxes. If that's the case, it might make sense to amend your federal tax return.
Here's an example: Andrew and Becky filed a joint federal return reporting $150,000 in federal adjusted gross income. They had $25,000 of itemized deductions, but they claimed the $27,700 federal standard deduction because it's higher. Their overall federal tax liability was $18,975. A week after filing their federal return, Andrew and Becky started working on their state return. They soon realized that (1) their state standard deduction is much lower than the federal standard deduction, and (2) they cannot itemize on their state return unless they itemized on their federal return (which is a common restriction). Claiming their state standard deduction, which was only $4,000, resulted in an overall state tax liability of $7,000.
And while we're talking about state tax returns, remember that a change made to your federal return may very well affect your state tax liability, too. So, if you have already filed your state return, check to see whether filing an amended federal return means you'll have to file an amended state return as well.
Related Content
