Tax Return Amendment
File Form 1040X only after you have filed your original return.
Generally, for a credit or refund, Form 1040X must be filed within 3 years after the date you filed the original return or within 2 years after the date you paid the tax, whichever is later. A return filed early is considered filed on the due date.
If your federal tax return has been filed with and accepted by the IRS, and you find you need to add more information to the return or correct a mistake, you will have to file (MAIL IN) a tax amendment. An amended return is filed using federal Form 1040X that is available here. You can also amend tax returns from previous years.
Unfortunately you cannot efile your amended return to the IRS.
The mailing address is listed in the 1040X PDF file.
How to change an IRS accepted tax return
If you are expecting a refund, you should wait until you receive the refund and then file the amended return. This takes into account any changes or corrections the IRS may have made to your return.
Please check the status of your ORIGINAL tax return, or call 1(800) 829-1040.
If your return has been accepted by the IRS please PRINT your accepted return from your efile.com account. Please sign in here. Use the PRINT or E-FILE link and PRINT your return.
Download FORM 1040X here. You can open 1040X on your screen and fill in the form using your keyboard. Simply move your cursor over the field and use your keyboard to fill in the information.
Now you have your accepted tax return in front of you and FORM 1040X on your screen.
- In Column A of the FORM 1040X please enter the amounts from your original return.
- In Column B the adjusted new amounts.
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When finished, PRINT, SIGN and MAIL (postal address is listed in the PDF file) in FORM 1040X with any schedules if necessary. You can also call the IRS at 1(800) 829-1040 to find out if your case requires any additional information
You are not quite done yet
Please make sure you go back into your return on efile.com and update or correct the information that you entered on your amended return otherwise your data for next years return will not be up-to-date.
Log on to efile.com here to access your current return and make your corrections to the original return.
Once you have done this, calculate the return and PRINT a copy. As mentioned above, you cannot efile these changes.
Mark this new, corrected return as "Amended" and keep it with your records.
When you sign off from your return on efile.com your tax information will be updated. Next year, your return will show the correct amounts that you filed for 2007.
Again, remember to keep copies of the amended return and Form 1040X for your files. The state forms and instructions for completing a state amended return are available from each state's Web site.
Please view the state pages and find out the requirements to amend your state return.
If you are filing Form 1040X in response to a notice you received from the IRS, mail it to the address shown on the notice.