To correct mistakes on your tax return, use Form 1040X to file an amended return, as e-filing is not available. You should amend only for major mistakes, not for calculation errors or missing forms, and the amended return must be filed within three years to claim a refund. Additionally, if you owe more taxes, pay as early as possible to avoid penalties, and you can track your amended return status via the IRS website after three weeks.

1. Did you make an mistake on your tax return?
You may need to file an amended return. Here
are some tips that can help!
10 Tips for Filing an
Amended Return

2. The Special Tax
Form to Amend
Your Return
Use Form 1040X, Amended
Individual Income Tax Return, to
correct mistakes on your tax
return. You must file a paper
Form 1040X; e-filling is not
available. You can find the form
on IRS.gov/forms.

3. Amend to Correct
Mistakes
You should file an amended tax
return if you need to correct a
major mistake or alter your
original tax return. For example,
you should amend to change
your filing status, or to correct
your income, deductions or
credits.

4. Don’t Amend for
Calculation Errors
or Missing Forms
Generally, you don’t need to file
an amended return to correct
calculation errors. The IRS will
automatically correct those for
you. Also, do not file an amended
return if you forgot to attach tax
forms. Most of the time, the IRS
will mail you a request if they
need them.

5. Most Taxpayers
Don’t Need to
Amend to Correct
Form 1095-A
Taxpayers who inadvertently used an
incorrect 1095-A to report health
insurance purchased through the
Marketplace for 2014 do not
necessarily need to file an amended
return. However they may benefit
from doing so if filing an amended
return with the correct information
decreases the amount of taxes owed.

6. Time limit to claim
a refund
To claim a refund, you must file
the amended return within 3
years of filing the original
return.

7. Separate Forms for
Each Year
If you are amending more than
one tax return, prepare a 1040X
for each year. Be sure to write
down the tax year of the return
you are amending at the top of
the form. You should mail each
year separately. You will find an
address to mail the forms to in the
instructions for Form 1040X which
are available on IRS.gov.

8. Attach Other Forms
with Revisions
If other IRS forms or schedules
are used to make revisions,
make sure to attach them to
Form 1040X.

9. When to File for an
Additional Refund
If a refund is due from your
original return, wait to get that
refund before filing an 1040X to
claim an additional refund.
Amended returns can take up to
16 weeks to process. You may
use your original refund while
you wait for any additional one.

10. Pay Added Tax as
Early as Possible
If you owe more taxes, file your
Form 1040X and pay the tax as
soon as possible. This will
prevent interest and penalties
from accruing. You may use IRS
Direct Pay to pay your tax from
your bank account.

11. Track your
Amended Return
You can track the status of your
amended return three weeks
after you file with ‘Where’s My
Amended Return?’ on IRS.gov.
You will need your taxpayer id
number (typically your SSN),
your date of birth and your zip
code.

12. To Learn More
Visit
www.taxdefensenetwork.com
Or call
(800) 691-5390
Works Cited: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue. Tips for Filing an Amended Return. IRS Tax Tip 2015-64. Washington: GPO, 2015.