Amending a Tax Return

If you file your individual tax return and then realize you made a mistake, you can change your tax return. Usually this involves filing Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to report changes to your income, deductions or credits. You may also be able to make certain changes to your filing status.

What do I need to know?

If you realize there was a mistake on your return, you can amend it using Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.

For example, a change to your filing status, income, deductions, credits, or tax liability means you need to amend your return. Or, IRS may have made an adjustment to your return, and sent you a notice that you disagree with. If so, you would file an amended return to change the amounts adjusted by IRS. If you’re unsure if you should file an amended return, you can use this tax tool to help you decide.

You can also amend your return to claim a carryback due to a loss or unused credit. In this case, you may be able to use Form 1045, Application for Tentative Refund instead of Form 1040-X, which will generally, result in a quicker refund.

Generally, in order for IRS to be able to issue a refund, you must amend your return within three years (including extensions) after the date you filed your original return or within two years after the date you paid the tax, whichever is later. However, there are exceptions to the rule in some situations, such as:

When you file Form 1040-X for a tax year, it becomes your new tax return for that year. It changes your original return to include new information.

Beginning in February 2023 , if you file your 2021 or later Form 1040-X electronically, you can get your refund by direct deposit into either a checking or savings account. You still have the option to submit a paper version of Form 1040-X and receive a paper check.

If the IRS finds mistakes like a math error or missing schedule before you do, you’ll get an IRS notice. The notice will tell you about the error and what information (if any) you need to submit to the IRS to correct it. See Incorrect Tax Return for more information. When the IRS sends you a notice about errors, there are usually other ways to correct errors besides an amended tax return.

If all you need to do is change your address, IRS.gov’s Address Changes page lists all available options.

Amending multiple returns

If you’re changing your tax returns for multiple tax years and filing by paper mail an IRS Form 1040-X for each year separately.

IMPORTANT: If you receive a notice that the IRS needs more information to process your amended tax return, send that information to the address on the notice within the time given to help speed up the processing.

You can resolve most mistakes on your own, but you can also get the help of a professional – either the person who prepared your tax return, or another tax professional.

Tips on how to choose a tax professional

Check the status of your amended return

You can check the status of your Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return using the “Where’s My Amended Return?” online tool or the toll-free telephone number (866) 464-2050 three weeks after you file your amended tax return. Both methods are available in English and Spanish and track the status of amended tax returns for the current year and up to three prior years.

Please keep in mind that due to Coronavirus processing delays, amended returns may take longer than three weeks to appear in IRS’ system and up to 20 weeks to process. Before that time, there’s no need to call IRS unless the online tool specifically tells you to do so.

REMINDER: The Where’s My Refund online tool is different from the Where’s My Amended Return online tool and it cannot provide any information on Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.

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What should I do?

Before filing an amended tax return: