Here are nine points the IRS wants you to know about amending your federal
income tax return.
1.
Use Form 1040X, Amended
U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to file an amended income tax return.
2.
Use Form 1040X to correct
previously filed Forms 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. An amended return cannot be filed
electronically, thus you must file it by paper.
3.
Generally, you do not need
to file an amended return due to math errors. The IRS will automatically make
that correction. Also, do not file an amended return because you forgot to
attach tax forms such as W-2s or schedules. The IRS normally will send a request
asking for those.
4.
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.
5.
If you are amending more
than one tax return, prepare a 1040X for each return and mail them in separate
envelopes to the appropriate IRS campus. The 1040X instructions list the
addresses for the campuses.
6.
If the changes involve
another schedule or form, you must attach that schedule or form to the amended
return.
7.
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.
8.
If you owe additional 2010
tax, file Form 1040X and pay the tax before the due date to limit interest and
penalty charges that could accrue on your account. Interest is charged on any
tax not paid by the due date of the original return, without regard to
extensions.
9.
Form 1040X was recently
redesigned. Previously the form consisted of three columns; Column A-Original
amount, Column B-Net change, and Column C-Correct amount. The redesigned form
now has just one column where the Correct Amount is the only figure entered,
making it easier to make changes to previously filed returns.
Links:
-
Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (PDF
110K)
-
Form 1040X Instructions (PDF
45K)
-
Tax Topic 308 — Amended Returns
