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Correcting a federal tax return mistake does not have to be complicated. If you need to add, remove, or make changes to information submitted to a federal tax return that was filed within the last three years, you simply need to fill out the appropriate form and send it in.
Which Mistakes Need Correction?
If your taxes were prepared by a tax professional, you should first contact them about the error. They should be able to let you know if the change is crucial, and assist you with amending your federal tax return. Minor math errors are normally be corrected by the IRS service center, and such mistakes do not normally require you to submit an amendment. Certain additional forms or schedules may have been forgotten, however your return may still be accepted as is.
Items such as your changes to your filing status, credits, total income or deductions should be adjusted if they were filled out incorrectly. Your tax professional will assist you in making any necessary changes to a previously filed federal tax return.
How to Amend Your Return
You can visit the Internal Revenue Service website to download the appropriate form to make corrections if you prepared your taxes alone. The form you will need is titled the "Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return" Form 1040X. Be sure to download and follow "Instructions for Form 1040X" carefully and put the tax year you are amending at the top of the form. You can also call the IRS at 800–829–3676 to order the appropriate forms.
Column A of the form will show the original figures from the previously filed return. Column C will show the new figures. Column B will list the difference between the original and the amendment.
The back of the 1040X is an area provided for you to explain each of the specific adjustments being made and the reason for each adjustment. Complete this page accordingly.
If you are amending more than one federal tax return, you should send each 1040X separately along with copies of the original forms that you are changing. Make sure that you keep your original forms for your personal tax records.
Review all of the information that you have changed using your Form 1040X. Put all of the appropriate information for each amended tax year in separate stamped envelopes and mail them to appropriate address based on the state that you live in. To find out which address to mail your return, view Page 3 of the instructions under "Where to File." Mail your return to the appropriate address.
Contact your local state tax agency to determine if any state income tax return changes needs to be made as well.
