| It can happen to anyone. You've collected all your tax | | | | should have reported on your original return. The IRS |
| return information. You've gathered all your W-2s, | | | | says many people find it easier to fill out Form 1040X |
| 1099s, receipts and statements. You've crunched the | | | | by figuring the correct amounts in the margin of the |
| numbers, doubled checked your calculations and mailed | | | | return they are amending. |
| the return or used an eFile provider. And then you | | | | First gather the return you are amending, a blank Form |
| realize you've left something out, another form comes | | | | 1040X and related instructions any supporting forms, |
| in the mail or realize you chose the wrong filing status. | | | | schedules or worksheets. It's also a good idea to have |
| No worries. You can amend your tax return. | | | | the instructions for the return you are amending, since |
| Revising your tax return is simple and can even be | | | | exemption and deduction amounts change from year |
| done several years after you filed the original return. | | | | to year. |
| You must use Form 1040x along with a new 1040 and | | | | On Line A of Form 1040X report your correct filing |
| the required schedules and forms. If you've used an | | | | status even if it's not changing. Line B tells the IRS |
| online tax preparation provider, you can log back in and | | | | which year you are filing an amendment for. Line C |
| fill out the 1040X within their program. However, the | | | | tells the IRS why are filing an amended return. Be very |
| IRS is not set up to accept amended returns by eFile. | | | | specific here, but be brief. State what you are |
| You'll need to print out your return and mail it in. | | | | reporting ("I am reporting additional income and |
| Top Reasons for Amending Your Tax Return | | | | withholding from a W-2"), why you are reporting it now |
| It's not necessary to amend a return for an error in | | | | ("because I forgot to include it on my original return"), |
| calculations. The IRS will automatically correct any | | | | and what changes occurred as a result ("which |
| math errors and modify the return for you. You should | | | | resulted in changes to my AGI, taxable income, total |
| file an amended return in order to: | | | | tax and refund."). |
| 1. Report your correct filing status | | | | You will then complete the remainder of the form with |
| 2. Report additional income | | | | the correct amounts you are reporting. This includes |
| 3. Report additional withholding | | | | income, deductions, tax liability, payments, and refund or |
| 4. Make changes to your deductions | | | | amount you owe. On page two of the form you will |
| 5. Claim additional dependents | | | | report your exemptions only if you're making changes. |
| 6. Remove dependents you claimed | | | | You must file a separate 1040X for each return you |
| 7. Claim tax credits you missed | | | | are amending. The IRS generally takes five to eight |
| How to Amend Your Return | | | | weeks to review amended tax returns. Remember if |
| Amending your return is much simpler than it used to | | | | you change your federal return you may also need to |
| be. This will essentially be your new return, changing | | | | amend your state return. Most states have a similar |
| your original return to include new information. The | | | | form to the original, also ending in an X. |
| entries you make on this form will be the amounts you | | | | |