If you need to make changes to your return after it has been filed, you may need to file an amended return. However, please note, in order to avoid confusion it is usually best to wait and amend a return after the IRS has accepted the original return and you have received your refund, if applicable.
Federal Form 1040X - Amended Return Federal amendments can only be
completed with TaxAct's Plus or Premium programs. If you are using the Free Federal Edition, you will be prompted to upgrade your return when you go to access the amendment section of the Q&A. Starting in 2019, Form 1040X can be e-filed.
To start a new return or sign in to an existing return you will need to know the Username & Password that you set up for your account at the time of registration to access an existing Online return.
If this is a new return, enter the information so the return mirrors what is shown on your originally filed, printed copy and then follow the steps below to complete the amended return.
(1) First be sure to
PRINT a copy of the originally filed return; this will be your only record of the return as it was filed once you make the corrections for the amendment. This can be done in the Online return by clicking the
Print link in the upper right corner of your screen and then selecting
Print Return and Instructions in the window that appears. Desktop users, click
File,
Print Return and make the appropriate selection in the window that appears.
(2) Return to the Q&A interview and modify, add, or delete the information that needs amending. Make a note of each item you are changing and the reason for each change as you will need these notes to complete
Form 1040X.
(3) To complete the amendment process:
- Click Filing and click Amend Federal Return (Desktop users, located directly below the State tab) [Note: If you receive an error when accessing Amend Federal Return that states you must first complete the Filing steps prior to Amending the return, click Filing and then click Mail Paper Return. You will just need to proceed through these screens until you are prompted to actually print the return (you do not need to print on paper, just clicking to view it is sufficient). Once you do this, you can go back to the Filing section and choose to amend the return.]
- The program will proceed with the interview questions for you to enter the appropriate information to complete the amended return and at the end of the process you will be prompted to print the amendment form and provided the mailing address for the form (note that you may have already completed both Steps 1 and 2 that are listed on the screen Amended Return - Four Steps if you have followed all of the above instructions)
(4) For tax years prior to 2019, the amended return,
Form 1040X, will need to be printed when completed and mailed to the IRS. Attach any accompanying documents that may be required. These would be any forms created in the return due to the changes made or any documentation that would support the changes made (i.e. corrected W-2 form).
Amended returns cannot be e-filed for tax years prior to 2019. Normal processing time for Form 1040X is up to 16 weeks from the IRS receipt date. Please see Amended Tax Return FAQs for additional information.
You may also need to verify with your state whether amending the federal return necessitates that you also amend your state return.
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Alternatively, you can choose to download the software as noted below. For years prior to 2018,
Federal 1040X Forms can only be completed with TaxAct's Desktop Program. You can order prior year programs through the TaxAct website
Prior Year TaxAct Products. Note that after 4/30/20 the 2018 return will no longer be accessible through TaxAct Online and you would need to download the software in order to amend that return.
If this is a new return, enter the information so the return mirrors what is shown on your originally filed, printed copy and then follow the steps below to complete the amendment part of the return.
(1) First be sure to
PRINT a copy of the originally filed return; this will be your only record of the return as it was filed once you make the corrections for the amendment. Click
File,
Print Return and make the appropriate selection in the window that appears.
(2) Return to the Q&A interview and modify, add, or delete the information that needs amending. Make a note of each item you are changing and the reason for each change as you will need these notes to complete
Form 1040X.
(3) To complete the amendment process:
- Click Filing and click Amend Federal Return
- The program will proceed with the interview questions for you to enter the appropriate information to complete the amended return. At the end of the process you will be prompted to print the amendment form and will be provided with the mailing address for the form (Note: You may have already completed both Steps 1 and 2 that are listed on the screen Amended Return - Four Steps if you have followed all of the above instructions.)
(4) For years prior to 2019, Form 1040X will need to be printed when completed and mailed to the IRS. Attach any accompanying documents that may be required. These would be any forms created in the return due to the changes made or any documentation that would support the changes made (i.e. corrected W-2 form).
Amended returns cannot be e-filed for tax years prior to 2019. Normal processing time for Form 1040X is up to 16 weeks from the IRS receipt date. Please see Amended Tax Return FAQs for additional information.
You can check the status of your paper or electronically-filed amended return Form 1040-X using the Where's My Amended Return? (WMAR) online tool or the toll-free telephone number 866-464-2050 three weeks after you file your amended return. Both tools are available in English and Spanish and track the status of amended returns for the current year and up to three prior years.
You may also need to verify with your state whether amending the federal return necessitates that you also amend your state return.