How to Amend Taxes From Past Years

With just a little time it is possible to amend personal income taxes from past years. Whether you realize all income wasn't reported, all deductions were not included, or you chose the incorrect filing status, the process is the same for amending your tax returns.

You have three years from the date of filing or two years from the date you paid tax (whichever is later) to amend your taxes and claim an additional refund.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1040 Form for the year you are amending
• Schedules and forms supporting 1040
• Amended Tax Form - 1040X
• Supporting documentation

1. Visit a local Internal Revenue Service (IRS) office or its Website to find the necessary forms. Some libraries also have the forms you can copy. You will need a 1040 form for the year you are amending and a 1040X form. If you attached any schedules to your return, you will also need those.

2. Fill out a new 1040 form for the tax year you are amending. Even if you originally filed a 1040EZ or 1040A, you must file a 1040 so that the numbers match up to the 1040X, which provides information about your amended return. Check your math and verify your numbers on this new return.
   
   Attach any schedules, forms and supporting documentation to this new 1040 form.

3. Place the new 1040 and the originally filed 1040 before you, side by side. Begin filling out the 1040X. This form is not year-specific, so fill in the areas for tax year and the other basic information.
   
   There are three columns on the first section of the 1040X. In Column A, input the information from your original 1040. In Column C, input the information from your revised 1040. The numbers in Column B will show the difference between Column A and Column C. A positive number represents an increase on the revised form, a negative number represents a decrease on the revised form. Column A plus Column B should equal Column C.

4. Report the changes you made on the revised return in Section 2 of the 1040X. Include specific information informing the IRS why you made the changes. For instance, if you forgot to include income because you received a W-2 after you filed, state that fact. The IRS will review this section carefully, and will send the form back to request further information if the statements are vague or incomplete.

5. Sign and date your amended return. Mail the new 1040 and 1040X to the service center where you mailed your original return. You are not able to e-file an amended return. If you are not sure where to send the documents, mail it to the service center listed on the instructions for the 1040X.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not file an amended return if you need to correct mathematical errors. The IRS computers will check your math and make any necessary corrections. You will be notified of any changes made to your return. If your amended return shows that you received a larger refund than you were due, you will need to pay back the difference. If you received a smaller refund than you were due, the IRS will send you the difference.
• Avoid penalties and interest by paying any additional monies owed by April 15 of the current year. Check your state tax returns when amending your federal returns, in case a correction needs to be made on those forms as well.

Resources

• Internal Revenue Website's Page on Amended Returns.