How to Correct Mistakes on a Tax Return

You can file an amended tax return to correct mistakes on your federal income tax return. Read the Internal Revenue Code that is available online to determine if an amended return is necessary. Contact a tax professional if you have questions concerning the need to file an amended tax return with your federal, state or local tax agency.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• IRS Form 1040X
• Instructions for Form 1040X
• Envelope and stamp
• Federal, state and local tax returns

1. Contact the tax professional who prepared your returns if you did not prepare your own tax returns. Consult with your tax professional about the need to file an amended return.

2. Rectify mistakes on your federal tax return by filing an amended return with the Internal Revenue Service. Use Form 1040X, "Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return" to correct mistakes on a previously filed individual tax return. File a separate Form 1040X for each year you want to amend. File your amended return within 3 years of filing the original return or within 2 years of paying the required tax, which ever date is later.

3. Read "Topic 308-Amended Returns" on the IRS website to determine if you need to file an amended return. Correct mistakes made concerning your filing status, total income, deductions or credits.

4. Print Form 1040X on your home computer or request the form from the IRS. Find tax forms at your local IRS field office or at your local post office during tax season. Remember to print or request "Instructions for Form 1040X (Revised February 2007)" when obtaining Form 1040X.

5. Follow the instructions for Form 1040X. List your original tax figures in Column A, corrected tax figures in Column C and the difference between the 2 figures in Column B. Attach any amended schedules or tax documentation to Form 1040X. Copy all forms and supporting documentation for your personal tax records.

6. Mail the amended form in a stamped envelope. Address the envelope to the tax servicing center listed in the instructions for Form 1040X. Mail separate each year's amended returns in separate envelopes.

7. Review your state and city tax returns to assess if they need to be amended. Amend local and state returns according to the tax laws of your jurisdiction.

Resources

• Visit the Internal Revenue Service website for tax information.

[ZippityV]

on 2/1/2008 my husband and I were seperated for almost all of 2006. I did not go through the courts to be legally seperated. But my 3 children and I were in our own apartment with not one penny contributed from my husband. When we went to have our taxes done at H&R Block (where my husband had set up and had all of his paperwork at)the tax preparer did not itemize most deductions like even medical....then he said I could not claim any of my rent or expenses....when he was done - our tax bracket was high---and we owed around $4,000.I do not beleive this and I wanted to see If I could amend my return without getting into trouble? Would I be able to claim head of household or seperated? Or should I Just accept the way it was?