It’s common to make mistakes when filing taxes. Whether you forgot to include income, claimed incorrect deductions, or realized your filing status was wrong, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows you to correct these errors by filing an amended tax return. After submitting your Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, you’ll naturally want to know its processing status. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about checking your Internal Revenue Service Amended Return Status, ensuring you stay informed throughout the process.
How to Check Your Amended Return Status
The IRS provides a dedicated online tool to help you track the status of your amended return, called “Where’s My Amended Return?”. This is the most convenient and efficient way to get updates.
Check the status of an amended return
Using the “Where’s My Amended Return?” Tool:
This tool allows you to track the progress of your amended return in three stages:
- Received: The IRS has received your amended return.
- Adjusted: The IRS is processing your amended return.
- Completed: The IRS has finished processing your amended return and has either issued your refund or sent notice of payment due.
To use the tool, you will need to provide the following information:
- Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Date of Birth
- Zip Code
This information must match what you entered on your amended return. The tool is available 24/7 and is updated no more than once every 24 hours, usually overnight.
Processing Times for Amended Returns
It typically takes the IRS up to 16 weeks to process an amended return (Form 1040-X). However, processing times can vary depending on workload and the complexity of your amendment. Keep in mind that “Where’s My Amended Return?” will generally start showing a status update about 3 weeks after you file your amended return. There’s no need to call the IRS unless it has been longer than 16 weeks since you filed, and the online tool shows no updates.
Reasons You Might Need to Amend Your Return
You should file an amended return if there are changes to any of the following aspects of your original tax return:
- Filing Status: For example, if you initially filed as single but should have filed as head of household.
- Income: If you forgot to report income, such as investment earnings or income from a side job.
- Deductions: If you initially missed out on eligible deductions or claimed deductions you weren’t entitled to.
- Credits: If you were eligible for tax credits you didn’t claim, like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit.
- Dependents: If there was an error in listing your dependents.
- Tax Liability: Any changes that affect the amount of tax you owe or your refund amount.
However, you do not need to amend your return if:
- The IRS corrects mathematical or clerical errors.
- The IRS requests missing forms or schedules.
When to File an Amended Return
To claim a refund from an amended return, you generally must file Form 1040-X within 3 years of filing your original return, or within 2 years of when you paid the tax, whichever date is later. For returns filed before the tax deadline, the filing date is considered to be the April tax deadline.
Special rules apply to file for refunds for specific situations like net operating losses or foreign tax credits. There are also extended deadlines for amending returns in cases of federally declared disasters, service in combat zones, or for claiming deductions related to bad debts or foreign taxes. Consult the instructions for Form 1040-X for detailed information on time limits.
How to File Form 1040-X
To amend your tax return, you must file Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
You can file Form 1040-X electronically using tax preparation software, for amendments to Form 1040 and Form 1040-SR for tax year 2020 and later. When e-filing, you may also need to include Form 8879, IRS e-file Signature Authorization.
You can also file a paper version of Form 1040-X and mail it to the IRS. Paper filing is required if you are amending:
- A return you originally filed on paper for the current tax year.
- Tax returns for years prior to 2021.
Remember to include copies of any forms or schedules that are affected by the changes you are making, and any forms or schedules you didn’t include with your original return but are now required due to the amendment.
Receiving Your Refund or Paying Additional Tax
If your amended return results in a refund and you filed Form 1040-X electronically for tax years 2021 or later, you can choose to receive your refund via direct deposit by providing your bank account information directly on Form 1040-X. If you file a paper Form 1040-X, you will receive a paper check. You can also use Form 8888, Allocation of Refund (Including Savings Bond Purchases) PDF to split your refund into multiple accounts, but amended return refunds cannot be used to purchase savings bonds.
If your amended return shows that you owe additional tax, you can pay online, by phone, or by mail. If paying by mail, make your check or money order payable to the U.S. Treasury, and include Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher PDF. To avoid penalties and interest, file and pay any additional tax by the tax deadline (typically April 15th of the following year).
Don’t Forget State Taxes
Amending your federal tax return might also necessitate amending your state tax return. Contact your state tax agency for guidance on how to amend your state return. Do not include your state tax return with your amended federal return.
Stay Informed About Your Amended Return
Checking your internal revenue service amended return status is a simple process using the IRS’s online tool. By staying informed, you can have peace of mind knowing the progress of your amended return and when to expect any potential refund. Remember to allow up to 16 weeks for processing and use the “Where’s My Amended Return?” tool for the most up-to-date information.
