Amending Your Income Tax Return
What if you've sent in your income tax return, and you discover you made a mistake? You can make things right by filing an amended tax return. And, don't think an amended return will automatically cost you money; it's perfectly okay to change a return to capture a tax break you missed the first time around.Once you have dropped your original income tax return in the mailbox or sent it off electronically, you can no longer change that return. (One exception: If your e-filed tax return is rejected, you can make changes before sending it in again.)
If you want to make changes after the original tax return has been filed, you must file an amended tax return using a special Form called the 1040X, entering the changes and explaining why you need to amend your original tax return. You don't have to redo your entire return, either. Just show the necessary changes and adjust your tax liability accordingly.
Yes. TurboTax walks you step by step through amending your federal income tax return.
No. The IRS isn't set up to accept an amended return electronically. You must print it out and send it in by mail.
First, fill out an amended federal income tax return to get that corrected. Then, get the proper form from your state and fill it out.
Like the IRS, your state uses a special form for an amended return. Many states also use the X suffix for the form number. For example, California uses Form 540X and Hawaii uses Form N-188X.
Don't forget to attach a copy of your amended federal return (Form 1040) to your amended state return.
Updated for tax year 2008
