Video: Tips for filing a 1040-X Amended Tax Return
Was there a mistake made on your taxes that was discovered after filing? You may be able to amend these mistakes using a 1040-X form. Watch this video to find out more about filing a 1040-X form.
The One Big Beautiful Bill that passed includes permanently extending tax cuts from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including increasing the cap on the amount of state and local or sales tax and property tax (SALT) that you can deduct, makes cuts to energy credits passed under the Inflation Reduction Act, makes changes to taxes on tips and overtime for certain workers, reforms Medicaid, increases the Debt ceiling, and reforms Pell Grants and student loans. Updates to this article are in process. Check our One Big Beautiful Bill article for more information.
The content of this video applies to earlier tax years.
Video transcript:
Filing Form 1040-X to amend a previously filed tax return? We’ll go over a few tips in this edition of Tax Tips by TurboTax.
If you made an error on your tax return, missed a money-saving tax deduction, or forgot to claim a valuable tax credit, you can use Form 1040-X to amend your return. Here are five tips for filing Form 1040-X.
One. File Form 1040-X before it’s too late.
Generally, you must file an amended return within three years of filing your original return, or within two years after paying the tax you owe, whichever date is later.
If you filed your original return before the due date, which is typically April 15, your return is treated as if it was filed on the tax deadline, and that date is used to determine if you’re within the timeline to submit an amended return.
Two. You must fill in three columns to report changes. Preparing Form 1040-X is straightforward.
Column A lists your original tax return information. Column B lists any increase or decrease. Column C is the sum of A and B.
For example, if you forgot to include a $1,000 charity donation on Schedule A, you would input your original itemized deductions in column A.
Then, you’ll report the increase of $1,000 in column B. And in column C, you’ll update the new total of your itemized deductions.
Three. Attach any revised forms or schedules to Form 1040-X.
For instance, in the previous example, you would send both the 1040-X form plus the revised Schedule A showing the additional $1,000 charitable donation.
Four. You can e-file Form 1040-X to amend a return for the current or two prior tax periods.
For example, if the current tax year is 2024, generally you can e-file Form 1040-X for tax years 2024, 2023 or 2022. However, if your original return was filed on paper, you also have to file Form 1040-X on paper.
Five. You can track the status of your amended return using the “Where’s My Amended Refund?” tool at IRS.gov.
Processing times typically range from 8 to 12 weeks, but it can extend up to 16 weeks in some cases.
If you need to file form 1040-X, we’re here to help! If you originally filed with TurboTax, you can easily e-file your amended return.
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