Tips on When to Amend Your Income Tax Return

The Internal Revenue Service usually handles problemsColumn C, you place the corrected figures. Column B
regarding math errors or will request any missingis used to reflect the difference between columns A
forms; such as schedules or W-2s as a part ofand C. There is space set aside on the back of the
processing an original income tax form. Under theseform for you to address each specific change and the
sorts of circumstances, you do not need to file anreasons for that change.
amended return.If the changes involve other forms or schedules, you
You may, however, want to file an amended return ifmust attach them to Internal Revenue Service form
your dependents, filing status, income, deductions, or1040X. For example, if you are filing the 1040x
credits were incorrectly filed.because you have a qualifying child and want to claim
In order to correct a previously filed Internal Revenuethe Earned Income Tax Credit, you must attach an
Service income tax form 1040, 1040A, or 1040E-Z, youEITC Schedule with the qualifying child's name, Social
will use Internal Revenue Service form 1040X. At theSecurity number, and date of birth.
top of form 1040X you must enter the year of theIf you are filing to claim an additional refund, wait until
return you are amending. If you are amending moreyou receive the original refund, as you may keep that
than one income tax return, you must file a separatemoney and then file for any additional refund. If you
Internal Revenue Service form 1040X for each incomeowe additional tax, you should pay the tax at the time
tax return you intend to amend. You must then mailyou file the 1040X, since interest and penalties may be
each, separately, to the Internal Revenue Servicecharged on any tax due from the original income tax
processing center for the area in which you reside.return, regardless of any extensions.
The instructions on form 1040X will list addresses forGenerally, to claim a refund, you must file Internal
the centers.Revenue Service form 1040x within three years of the
Internal Revenue Service form 1040X has threedate you filed the original return or within two years of
columns, respectively. In Column A, you will place thepaying the tax, whichever is later.
original figures from the original income tax return. In