Frequently Asked Tax Return Questions
1. Frequent tax return
mistakes/rejections
1.1. How can I correct a mistake on
my federal efile return?
1.2 What if my return was rejected
by the IRS?
1.3 How do I get a copy of a tax return from the IRS not filed on efile.com?
2. Amended Tax Returns
2.1 What should I do if I made a mistake
on my federal return that I have already filed?
2.2 How do I fill out the amended return
Form 1040X?
2.3 Can I send an amended
tax return electronically?
2.4 How can I check the status of my
amended return?
3. Name, address and/or
social security number changes/corrections
3.1 Name correction with IRS?
3.2. Change of Address - How to Notify
IRS
3.3. Social Security Number and name
change update (due to marriage, divorce)
4. Previous year tax returns
4.1 How do I request a copy of
my tax return for last year?
4.2 Previous year AGI?
5. Need more time? File for a tax return extension
6. If your old tax return is not on efile.com
1. Frequent efile mistakes/rejection
1.1 How can I correct a mistake on my federal efile return?
If your return has NOT BEEN SUBMITTED/ACCEPTED you can still make changes in your efile return. ONCE YOUR RETURN HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE IRS, you must allow the efile return to process before making any changes. You cannot correct a mistake on a federal return which was filed electronically. You need to file an amended or corrected return using Form 1040X (PDF), Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, as soon as possible. Include copies of any schedules that have been changed or any Form W-2 (PDF) you did not include. The Form 1040X is a paper form.
1.2. What if my return was rejected by the IRS? Don’t worry—usually it is a minor typographical error or some other small correction. As a registered efile.com user, go to www.efile.com. Under the REGISTERED USERS section click on CHECK YOUR STATUS and sign back into your return and check the status. There you will find instructions on what to correct.
1.3 How do I get a copy of a tax return from the IRS not filed on efile.com?
Most taxpayers will ask for a copy of their prior year tax return. In many cases, however, a transcript will provide the information they need more quickly.
Transcripts provide taxpayers with a computer-created record of their tax return which includes most of the line-items as filed with the IRS, including any accompanying forms and schedules. The transcript does not reflect any changes the taxpayer, his/her representative, or the IRS made after the return was filed.
- Download Form 4506 (Request for Copy of Tax Return)
- OR
- Download Form 4506T (Request for Transcript of Return)
To request copies by phone, refer the taxpayer to the IRS Special Hotline for taxpayers affected by recent hurricanes and combat zone individuals: 1-866-562-5227 (Hours of operation are 7 AM to 10 PM, Monday-Friday, your local time - except Alaska and Hawaii which are Pacific time.)
2. Amended Tax Returns
If you discover an error after your return has been mailed, you may need to amend your return. The service center may correct errors in math on a return and may accept returns with certain forms or schedules left out. In these instances, do not amend your return! However, do file an amended return if any of the following were reported incorrectly:
- your filing status
- your total income
- your deductions or credits
Use Form 1040X (PDF), Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to correct a previously e-filed or filed Form 1040 (PDF), Form 1040A (PDF), or Form 1040EZ (PDF). If you are filing to claim an additional refund, wait until you have received your original refund (you may cash that check). To avoid penalty and interest, if you owe additional tax for a current year amended return, file Form 1040X and pay the tax by April 15 of the current year.
Be sure to enter the year of the return you are amending at the top of Form 1040X. The form has three columns. Column A is used to show original or adjusted figures from the original return. Column C is used to show the corrected figures. The difference between the figures in Columns A and C is shown in Column B. There is an area on the back of the form where you explain the specific changes being made on the return and the reason for each change. If the changes involve another schedule or form, attach it to the 1040X. For example, if you are filing a 1040X because you have a qualifying child and now want to claim the Earned Income Credit, you must attach a Form 1040 Schedule EIC (PDF) to show the qualifying person's name, year of birth, and social security number.
Generally, to claim a refund, Form 1040X must be received within 3 years from the date you filed your original return or within 2 years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later.
If you are filing more than one amended return, be sure to mail each in a separate envelope to the service center for the area in which you live. The Form 1040X Instructions list the addresses for the service centers.
Please Note: Your state tax liability may be affected by a change made on your federal return. For information on how to correct your state tax return, contact your state tax agency.
2.1 What should I do if I made a mistake on my federal return that I have already filed? It depends on the type of mistake that was made. Many mathematical errors are caught in the processing of the tax return itself. If you did not attach a required schedule the service will contact you and ask for the missing information.
If you did not report all your income or did not claim a credit, you are entitled to file an amended or corrected return using Form 1040X (PDF), Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Include copies of any schedules that have been changed or any Form W-2 (PDF) you did not include. The Form 1040X should be submitted after you receive your refund or by the due date of the return, whichever, is earlier. Generally, to claim a refund, the Form 1040X must be received within three years after the date you filed your original return or within two years after the date you paid the tax, whichever is later.
2.2 How do I fill out the amended return Form 1040X? Form 1040X (PDF), Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, is designed with three columns. Column A is used to show the figures from the original return. However, if you previously amended that return or it was changed by the IRS, enter the adjusted amounts. Column C is used to show the correct figures. The difference between the figures in Columns A and C is shown in Column B. On the back of the form you need to explain the specific changes being made on the return and the reason for each change. If the changes involve another schedule or form, attach it to Form 1040X. Be sure to enter the year of the return you are amending at the top of the form as required.
2.3 Can I send an amended tax return electronically? No, an amended return must be filed on a paper Form 1040X (PDF), Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, and mailed to your servicing center for processing. You may submit the form once your original return has processed.
2.4 How can I check the status of my amended return? You will need to contact our assistance line at (800) 829-1040 to receive information on the processing of your amended return. Amended/corrected returns are processed as quickly as possible. However, it could take 8 to 12 weeks to process an amended return.
3. Name or Address or Social Security Number changes/corrections
3.1. Name correction with IRS? The name on the refund check is spelled the way it appears on your tax return. If the address label you receive is spelled wrong, do not use the label. Instead, print the information on the tax return. You can also call (800) 829-1040 and we can change the spelling of your name over the phone.
3.2. Change of Address—How to notify the IRS If you have moved or your address has changed, you need to notify the IRS to ensure you receive any IRS refund or correspondence. You may provide your new address in a variety of ways. You may correct the address legibly on the mailing label from your tax package or write the new address on your return when you file. When your return is processed, we will update your records.
If you change your address after filing your return, you should notify your post office that services your old address. This ensures your mail will be forwarded (not all post offices forward government checks). To change your address with the IRS, complete a Form 8822 (PDF), Address Change Request.
If you correspond to inform us of your address change, we need your full name, old and new addresses, and your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number and signature. If you filed a joint return, you should provide the same information and signatures for both spouses.
Send your address change information to the campus where you filed your last return and provide your new address.(The campus addresses are listed in the instructions to the tax forms.)
If you filed a joint return and you and/or your spouse establish separate residences, you both should notify the IRS of your new address.
Note: The U.S. Postal Service provides the IRS with change of address updates weekly. Tax forms will be mailed to the last address clearly and concisely provided by the taxpayer or the change of address information furnished by the Postal Service.
3.3. Social Security Number and name change update (due to marriage, divorce)
I got married and I have not changed the name on my social security card to my married name. My Form W-2 is in my married name but my tax forms came in my maiden name. Should I file with my maiden name or married name?It is important that the name the Social Security Administration (SSA) has in its system for your social security number agrees with the name on your tax return. You have a choice. You can file with your maiden name and contact the Social Security Administration after you file your return. Or, if you have enough time before the due date of your return, you can contact the Social Security Administration and have your records changed. Please wait 10 days to file your tax return.
So, if you got married or divorced in the tax year (as of Dec. 31) please ensure that the name on your tax return matches the name registered with the Social Security Administration (SSA). If this is not the case, a name mismatch could delay your tax refund.
For example if a bride takes her husband's last name but does not inform the Social Security Administration about this the IRS computers might not be able to match the new name with the Social Security Number.
This same case is true in the case of a divorce, if a woman took her husbands name during the marriage but reassumes her previous name after the divorce.
Please download and file SSA Form SS-5.
Click here and visit the Social Security Administration web siteto find the local SSA office.
4. Previous year tax returns copies or W-2 Forms
4.1 How do I request a copy of my tax return for last year? If you completed and filed a return through efile.com you can retrieve a copy of your 2006 tax return here. If you did not complete or efile a return through efile.com, you must complete Form 4506 (PDF), Request for Copy of Tax Return and mail it to the IRS address in the instructions along with a $39 fee for each tax year requested. Copies are generally available for returns filed in the current and past 6 years.
4.2. Can I get copies of my prior year Forms W-2 from the IRS? The quickest way to obtain a copy of a prior year Form W-2 is through your employer. If that is not possible, you can either order copies of your entire return (attachments include Form W-2 from IRS) from the IRS for a small fee, or order Form W-2 information at no charge from the IRS. The IRS can provide W-2 information for up to 10 years. Information for the current year is generally not available until the year after it is filed with the IRS. For example, W-2 information for 2007, filed in 2007, will not be available from the IRS until 2008. To receive a copy of your return or transcript, complete and mail Form 4506 (PDF), Request for Copy of Tax Return or Form 4506-T (PDF) Request for Transcript of Tax Return. You should allow 60 calendar days for a response. Tax questions: Call 1-800-829-1040.
5. Need more time? File for a tax return extension
Do you need more time to file your tax return this year? While you cannot extend the time to pay taxes, you can get an automatic extension of time to file your federal tax return. You must efile or file your extension by April 15. You can efile the extension on efile.com (the link will be available on efile.com early April) or you can file a paper Form 4868. You can pay by check, electronic funds withdrawal or credit card. If you have started a return on efile.com, we can automatically fill in the name(s), addresses and social security number(s) and show the amounts you have entered that apply to your extension. If you have not started your tax return on efile.com, we will gather the information that is necessary in a short interview. Please be aware that using a tax extension to prolong your time to efile or file a tax return is NOT an extension of your time to pay taxes you owe. For question on filing tax extension for state returns please click here
Note: Although you are not required to make a payment of the tax you estimate is due, Form 4868 does not extend the time to pay taxes. If you do not pay the amount due by the regular due date, you will owe interest. You may also be charged penalties. Any payment that you make with your application for extension will be treated as a payment of tax.
6. If your old tax return is not on efile.com
If you need an actual copy of your return, you should complete and mail Form 4506 (PDF), Request for Copy of Tax Return along with a check or money order for $ 39.00 per tax year made payable to the "United States Treasury."
Allow 60 calendar days to receive your copies.
Most needs for tax return information can be met with a tax return transcript or a tax account transcript, rather than an actual copy of the return. The tax return transcript shows information from the return as it was originally filed. A tax account transcript shows any later adjustments either the taxpayer or the IRS made after the tax return was filed.
Transcripts are provided free of charge. These transcripts may be acceptable substitutes for an actual copy of the return by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and lending agencies for student loans and mortgages. Check with your agency or lender to be sure.
You can obtain a transcript by calling (800)-829-1040 or by completing and mailing Form 4506-T (PDF), Request for Transcript of Tax Return, to the address listed in the instructions to request all types of transcript verification of non-filing, and wage/income information.
Transcripts will be mailed directly to you, and should be received within two weeks after the IRS gets your request. Transcripts can be mailed to a third party if you specify this on Form 4506-T. However, you must sign and date the form giving your consent for the disclosure.
7. Partial State Residence
Couple of issues:
1. most states start with Federal AGI (income from all states) when calculating the state taxes.
2. States have different definitions of Part year and non-resident
3. States have different formulas for allocating income in these situations.
4. both states want their tax money.
The Part year and Non-resident returns have calculations to allocate the income to the state based on where it was earned.
We do have a place to enter Credit for Taxes Paid to another state which handles some of the non resident situations.
They may be able to end up with the right tax with our program but they should use the correct forms.