When you have a tax “oops” you fix it by filing an Amended Tax Return, form 1040X.
Mistakes happen. You file your return and later get a W2 in the mail for a job you had forgotten about. Maybe your investment firm sent you an amended 1099 because your interest income they reported was wrong. Or maybe you were talking to a friend and learned about a deduction that you should have been claiming for the past three years and you’d like a refund. What do you do?
It’s easy, you need to file an amended return, the form is called a 1040X and you can find it on the IRS website: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040x.pdf.
An amended return can’t be filed electronically like a regular return. You must mail it in and it’s going to take about 12 weeks to process. That’s a bummer if you’re expecting a refund, but that’s the way it works. If your regular return had a refund, make sure you wait until you’ve received the first refund before you file the amended return. (If they start processing the amended return before your original refund gets paid, it can mess up you getting the original refund. You don’t want that to happen now do you?)
If you have more than one tax return that needs to be amended, you must file separate returns for each year and mail them in separate envelopes. For example, say you found out that you had missed a $1000 deduction on your Schedule A every year and you’re in the 25% tax bracket. You can’t just put $3000 on this year’s return for a $750 refund. You’ll have to amend 2010, 2009, and 2008 separately and you’ll receive three checks for $250 each. It’s too late now to claim a refund that should have gone on 2007.
When you amend your tax return, you’ll have to send in the schedules of anything that changed. In the example above, the thing that changed was on the schedule A, so that form would also have to be attached. Don’t attach any forms that didn’t change. Warning: for many folks, a change in one part of your tax return can cause a change somewhere else-most notably on your schedule A. Before you actually mail anything in, go over it carefully to see if you have any unexpected changes.
When you file a 1040X, make sure you check the box for the tax year that you’re amending. That’s a pretty common mistake. The IRS can’t process the return if they don’t know what year it’s for.
When not to file an amended return: You don’t need to file an amended return for a basic math mistake. The IRS will automatically fix that for you. You also don’t need to file an amended return if your original was missing a schedule. That’s where you get a letter from the IRS saying that you claimed something on your return but that you’re missing the supporting documents. A common example of that would be a capital gain of $2000 on your return, but there’s no schedule D to back it up. You don’t need to amend the return, just mail them the schedule D. The IRS will ask you for whatever schedule they’re looking for, you won’t have to guess at what’s missing.
I’ve talked a lot about filing an amended return because of a refund. Sometimes when you file an amended return you’re going to owe. If you have a balance due, mail the payment check with your 1040X. The IRS will probably send you a bill for interest and maybe even penalties depending upon how much you owed. Be prepared for that.
Often times, people are thinking about filing amended returns because they received an IRS letter. Sometimes, you don’t need to amend, just pay the tax. Sometimes, you really need to amend because you shouldn’t have to pay the tax but you need to submit more information. Sometimes, you don’t need to amend and you don’t need to pay the tax—the IRS made a mistake and they just need to have it pointed out to them. Before you start writing that check, get a professional opinion–you want to pay your fair share, not more than you owe.
Hi Mr. P–
I’m sorry, I mis-interpreted. If you have W2 income, then at $1200 you are not required to file. If they were forms 1099MISC–then you’d still need to file.
I recently e-filed my federal return as married filing separate. My wife went to file at HR block and was told that we should of filed married joint due to we were not legally separated and she lived with me about six months of the year. Should I file an amendment? We were separated about 6 months at the beginning of 2012 and lived at separate homes that we own. We got back together mid year and rented the house. Who is entitled to claim head of household at the rental residence or can the renter and my wife claim head of household at that residence?
Just to add to last comment, we where seperated for about 6 months but we lived together the last six months of 2012.
I e-filed my federal returns as married fiiling seperate. My wife went to do her taxes at an office and was told that I was not supposed to file that status due to we were not legally seperated. We are currently together but we lived at seperate homes that we own. At this time the home has been rented for about 6 months now. Can she claim head of household at that residence and the renter, or can only one of them claim that residence? Also can I elect to file married filing joint on an amendment? If so, should I wait till i have recieved my refund?
HI ,
MY DAD DIED IN JUNE 2012 , HE DID HIS TAXES ON TURBO TAX LAST YEAR , WE PAYED THE MONEY FOR EXTRA PROTECTION , BUT IN JANUARY 2013 THE IRS SENT ME A LETTER SAYING HE OWED THEM $9,000
I BELIVE IT WAS ALL OVER A 353.00 MISTAKE HE MADE WHEN HE FILLED HIS TAXES LAST YEAR , HE FILED , IT GOT ACCEPTED , THEN HE REAZLIZED HE MADE A MISTAKE AND WENT BACK AND TRIED TO FIX IT , STUPIDLY ENOUGH HE DIDNT THINK THERE WOULD BE ANY PROBLEMS .
SO , WHAT CAN THEY DO ? CAN THEY TRY TO COLLECT TAXES FROM A DEAD PERSON , I RESPONDED TO THEIR LETTER AND WROTE THEM A DETAILED LETTER ABOUT WHAT HAPPEND , WITH HIS W2 . I HAVINT RECIVED ANY RESPONSE . I UNDERSTAMD ITS TAX SEASON , BUT SHOULDNT THEY SEND SOMETHING TELLING ME WHAT TO DO ? I RECIVED HIS W2 FOR 2012 . I UNDERSTAND IM SUPPOSED TO FILE HIS RETURNS , BUT MY CONCERN IS WILL I EVEN RECIVE ANYTHING , WITH THIS UNRESOLVED ISSUE ? IM DEPENDING ON THE MONEY.
hello i got an irs form saying that we owe cause i forgot to put in the enmployment 1099 well for one thing we didnt reievce one and thats why we didint put it on 2011 tax return so can we just print it and send it to irs and they fix it.. Or do we gotta pay what they say we owe and amend?
I just electronically submitted my tax return on TurboTax but forgot to claim something… I just updated it after submitting it… will the IRS reject it? Will I get into some trouble?… I’m curious because I know I read that the IRS doesn’t see what we submitted til the 30th.. is this true? And if it’s wrong to update it with new info, would you suggest me changing it back?
Hello i filed my taxes before i noticed federal said i owe $1400 i know this is a mistake maybe myself/turbotax did something wrong. Will the IRS catch this error or should i file an amend once i receive my refund. No information has changed since my 2011 tax return what should i do. Also if the IRS dont catch the error will they send me a letter
To add to that, I tried to fix it but HR Blockalready prepared it and its too late to change at this point
You’re awesome for helping everyone!
So I filed last week early through HR Block. I just realized that I entered the wrong federal witholding amount and I’m freaking out. This is my first time doing taxes –and I messed up. I was wondering why my expected refund is so high. What do I do??
Thank you!
hi i was worndering if the irs is accepting and processing admentments for 2010 before jan. 30? or does jan. 30 apply for admentments too
thank you for your respond 🙂
This is a follow up to my previous question that i posted on saturday. I understand that I cannot put 2011’s w2s with 2012’s… i guess i worded it wrong. What i was saying is that i am considering just filling them this year, at the same time that i do my 2012’s, not actually with my 2012s. But sense we only worked part time jobs and only made like 1200 dollars total.. do i even have to file them? or can i just forget about them? Thanks!
Hey Kristen,
Your tax return should get rejected and then he’ll have to fix it and re e-file. It’s not that big of a problem, just call him now and let him know to watch for the reject.
I was looking through my tax papers and found the guy put my daughters name as Marah instead of Micah. Will that effect anything?
Hi Mr. P.–
Given that your income is so low–I don’t think you have a problem. Actually, your wife claiming single on her W4 will give you a bigger refund so you might want to give her a big hug and a kiss.
Now, about those last year W2s–do not put them on this year’s return–you can’t do that. File 2011 with 2011 and 2012 with 2012.
Hi Rey,
You’ll have to wait until after the IRS processes your tax return and then file an amendment.
Hi Minka,
Probably nothing. The reason I say that is because if you only messed up the social security number, it won’t affect your tax refund (unless you had two or more jobs and your income was over $110,100.
There’s a possibility that there may be another reason you need to amend, but that most likely would be if you’re in a job that has tips–then having the social security be off could make you change your return as well.
If you need to change your return, just file an amendment after you’ve received your refund.
Hi Oswald,
You’ll want your employer to fix that, but it shouldn’t affect your tax return since you e-filed. (But make sure your employer fixes it, that’s important. Otherwise it could be a problem later.)
@ James,
Yes it will affect your original return. And H&R Block will charge you to amend it. But they shouldn’t have let you file before January 30th in the first place.
@Mike Dunn,
Do not file your taxes before you have all of your W2s. It’s fraud. Especially if you’re getting EIC. Don’t do it. The IRS isn’t even accepting returns before January 30th so wait.
Hey Trevor,
I’d slap you on the wrist for filing before January 30th but I guess you’re going to suffer enough.
1. I’ve found that all of the Turbo Tax people who filed early and made mistakes can’t get their returns back–so it’s gone.
2. You will have to amend your return–but you have to wait until after you get your refund back from this filing. Do not file your amended return before you get your refund–it will mess it up and take even longer.
3. When you file your amended return, it should take 8 to 12 weeks for the IRS to process them (although it could take even longer.)
Your girlfriend can go ahead and file her taxes after January 30th. (You really don’t want to file on the 30th–wait a day.) She’ll be fine.
Hello, My wife forgot to put married on her w2s in 2011, and put single instead, I put married on my w2s in 2011. Now we both only made a total of 1,200 dollarsin 2011 just working part time jobs. I never filed my w2s from last year and am considering filing them this year with my current w2s…. Is the fact that she accidently put single going to mess something up when I do them with my current 2012 w2s? and do I even need to file those 2011 w2s? hope that all made sense….
Hello, I e filled my taxes with tax act and after i submitted them i noticed that i added and extra 0 on my wages on one of.my two w2 my wages where 3,500 and i put 35,000 how do i fix that i have never had a problem with the Irs and im not looking foward to having one with them and besides im defanetly in need of that return can you please help me, Thank you in advance.
Hi, jan tell me what to do.I filed my 2012 taxes on line and the next day i figured out i made a mistake and put the wronge numbers in my ss withholdings i was off about 350.00 dollars its already been sent what to do?
Hello, I already e-filed but i just noticed that in my w2 is missing my SSN, so i have to send back my W2 to my employer. right?My question is if this mistake is going to affect my process?what should i do?
Hello, I just filed my tax return and then just got a 1099 MISC in the mail that i did not know of. It was a other income of 1500, aswell as i filed at H&R Block, I have an appointment with him Sunday, but will that effect my initial tax return and by how much.. I am confused
Thank you
Hello,
If i file by taxes before all my w-2 are here is that ok. Example got one of my w-2 in the mail. Can i go ahead and file my taxes to get my refund and then send in a amended tax return for the the remaining w-2 when ever i get them.
thanks
Hello, I filed my taxes tonight. I had two w2 forms. I live with my girlfriend. We had the same job at the beginning of the year. When I filed tonight I accidentally used her w2 instead of mine. This actually made me lose a bit of money because she claims two all year and I claim zero. I was going to call the irs when they open and turbotax. Is there anything else I should do? How long do you think it will take to resolve this so we can both file correctly and receive our proper taxes? Thanks
Hi Daniel,
You don’t claim your kids’ social security benefits on your tax return. Now if you receive social security, then you claim yours, but not your kids. You’re all good!
hello, i forgot to claim my sons social security benfits on my taxes. i do have dependendts that i claimed is there a penilty for not claiming it? do i need to redo my taxes?
Hi Linda,
You’re not the first person to miss a W2 and you won’t be the last. Just file an amended return and pay the $86. You’ll probably have to pay a little bit of interest also, but not much. Stuff happens. It’s just better if you fix it rather than wait for an IRS letter.
Hello, I have a W2 from 2009 that I forgot to file. It was for a two week job that I completely forgot about. Can I still file an amendment? My husband and I received a refund for our 2009 taxes, but should have gotten $86 less with the missing W2. I can’t believe I could have missed a W2, but I did!
Hey Artesia,
(Cool name, I like that.) Anyway, I’m guessing that your income was low enough that you weren’t required to file in 2007, otherwise you’d probably have gotten a notice from the IRS by now.
But, if you want to clear up your records, you can go ahead and file your 2007 return just for the record. If there is a refund, you won’t receive it–the IRS quits paying refunds after 3 years. (So you could file a 2009 return today, but not 2008 or older for a refund.)
Of course, if you owe, the IRS will still expect you to pay. (They’re kind of funny like that.)
Hi Caleb,
Thank you for your service to our country. Here’s what I would do–file the 1040X now before the IRS decides to send you a notice–it will save you money in the long run. I’m guessing that you’ll probably owe between $440-$660 (10 to 15% tax bracket since so much of your income wasn’t taxable.)
Now, here’s something you might not know–if you have to pay tax on the student loan payments, then that means that you paid the student loans–so you should be able to claim a deduction on the student loan interest that you paid. The maximum deduction there is $2500, but that would take a bite out of what you’d have to pay. You should have some documentation on that to support the deduction.
If you can’t pay the whole amount when you file your amended return, pay something. The IRS will usually give you some time to pay. And, if you’re getting a refund with this tax return, you’ll be able to pay the rest once everything settles.
You should be getting your tax refund for this year before they ever process the amended return so don’t expect the IRS to just keep what you owe them, you’ll have to mail in your payment.
Hello. I have some w2s from 2007 that i never filed. I was 17. And a student. Would it be to late to file I also have 2 returns from the same .job. 1 has my ssn wrong and only worked for 3m . Moved.but came back 1month later . The other w2 dosent. i worked a little longer. Now my employer sent me this paper in the mail a corrected wage and tax statement. I know its 2013. But i wasnt sure if this would be a problem. And if i would have to pay back or even receive a refund. I do know that i wasnt claimed for that year since i was 17. Thank you so much.
First off, thank you so much for taking all the time to answer all these questions. Here is my problem:
The Army pays back my student loans for me, which I didn’t know I had to report as income until this year. In 2010 I was supposed to report that they paid $4400ish but I didn’t. 90% of my income was tax free in 2009 due to being in Iraq so I’m unsure how much I would actually owe on that. Should I just go ahead and file the 1040X now or wait until after my refund this year since they may take it out of this years refund. Also do you have any idea how much I Would be looking at in fees and interest? as that may require some saving to pay. I have not been received any kind of letter yet by the way. Thanks again!
Hi Stephanie,
Your husband doesn’t hate you. (He’s a little ticked off, but he still loves you. I think.)
Anyway, the IRS isn’t accepting returns until January 30th. So–who’d you file with? Turbo tax? I’d call them and see if the return can still be pulled. It will save you tons of time if you can fix the return before it gets filed.
If you can’t fix it before you file, then you’ll have to amend it–but wait until you get your refund before you file the 1040X. If you do it now, they’ll receive the amended return before they’ve processed the original and it could wind up in the trash.
My husband hates me…I just e-filed our taxes, says pending still, but then found an error when reviewing. I switched the FICA and Federal withholdings. Will they reject our return, and if so, can I fix and re-e-file? And will doing this effect how long we will wait for refund? Or will IRS catch the error and correct it on there own. I’ve heard so many different answers. If it is accepted, I know after we get refund I will have to file amended 1040X and send in the difference, just wondering how this will actually go…
Hi Tracey,
If it’s really not going to change anything on your federal return the go ahead and file. Hold off on filing the city return until you get the corrected W-2. You should be okay. Remember, you can’t e-file until January 30th so you’ve got a little time to wait for the correction.
My husband’s W2 has mistakes in boxes 19 and 20, concerning local income taxes. His employer put us in the wrong locality and they reported an incorrect amount of tax withheld (they actually withheld the correct amount according to his pay stubs, but on his W2 they say they only withheld $3). His company is notoriously slow when it comes to correcting errors. Can we go ahead and file our federal and state tax returns now? Or do we need to wait for a new W2? Will I have to file an amended return later, if we do file now? It wouldn’t affect our federal or state taxes, just the local. Thank you.
Hi Sylvia,
If your SS benefits don’t affect your return, then there’s no problem. If your social security benefits are taxable, then you need to amend. Now, if you’re talking about 2012 taxes–you couldn’t have filed yet, so just fix it before efile begins on January 30th.
i forgot to add my social security benefits to my 1040
what do i do
Hi Mallory,
You should be fine–but do be cautious. There was a big scandal around here either last year or the year before with unscrupulous tax preparers just going ahead and filing anyway and taking their fees from the refund. (They were offering free evaluations, then filing the returns anyway. The bad guys got caught but there were people who suffered.)
Now mind you–it’s illegal to file someone’s tax return without their signature so a reputable tax person won’t file your return.
I took my w2 form to be perpared by a person I was referred to and I feel like I was cheated. So I didn’t sign the paper and went to another person to do them. Since not signing with the first person that I had perpared my taxes. Should I be worried that its possible that the first person submitted my taxes or nothing gets submitted until I sign??
Hi Athena,
I’m guessing that you just made an honest mistake and simply put your wages on the wrong line. But I want to make you aware of a really big fraud issue–so if the IRS isn’t being very nice to you, well, you need to know that there’s a huge problem with people faking self employment income to get the Earned Income Tax Credit. So–if the IRS is treating you like a criminal–well that’s where they’re coming from.
But here’s what you need to do. I’m guessing that you probably just received the Oopies! letter, saying that you have wage income that wasn’t reported–because you put your income on the wrong line. Or, you might have gotten something about how you forgot your self employment tax. Either way, just send them the proper copy of your W2 with your amended return and that should take care of everything.
Just a heads up–you could be asking for an audit. I mean, the whole “self employed” business on the tax return–that’s a really big mistake. Don’t be surprised if you hear from the IRS again. Sorry, not trying to scare you, but they’re dealing with so much fraud in the self employment sector–having a return have self employment and suddenly go “oops, no we don’t” that’s going to raise some flags.
Even if you think you can’t afford it, this is a time to have a professional take a look and make sure your amendment is right. Even if you are 100% innocent and made a 100% honest mistake–it’s going to look like fraud to them. If you do not have a W2 to prove your wages–it’s really going to look like fraud. And if you received EIC and you can’t prove your wages–that’s looking very serious.
Sometimes putting something on the wrong line is not such a big deal and it’s easy to fix–this is one of those times where putting your income in the wrong line is a big deal. I’m sorry if I’m scaring you, but it’s important that you understand your situation.
If you put your income on the wrong line–you shouldn’t do the amendment by yourself. Get help. Make sure your behind is covered.
I accidentally put on my 2011 return that I owned a buisness insted of putting that money in salary wages and tips. So the IRS sent me a letter saying I owed money. It was a mistake on my half do I need to amend my last years return?
Hey Karen,
You can’t file your 2012 return yet. You can’t e-file it, and the IRS isn’t opening the mailed in returns until after the 30th so they don’t have whatever you think you sent. Don’t amend. Just make it right before you really file.
I just got done e filing my taxes for federal and realized I was looking at 2011 W2’s and not 2012’s.What do I need to do to fix this? I didn’t do my state return yet,this is where I realized I messed up. Can they stop my return from going through? since they don’t start processing them till Jan 12
Just got done doing my taxes and realized I filed my 2011 W2’s and not my 2012’s. What do I need to do to fix this? I havent filed state yet,this is where I realized that I had the wrong W2’s. I was wondering if they can stop it before it goes through since they’re not processing taxes till Jan 22,2013.
No they have not contacted me. I did the amend but forgot to send it out. So I guess I will do this years and send in the amend after I get my refund. Thanks for your help 🙂