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Form 1040-X – Filing an Amended Individual Federal Tax Return
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You can file an amendment with TaxAct, even if you used a different provider or mailed in your original return. If you didn’t file your original return with TaxAct, TaxAct won’t have your original figures. You must re-create your original return as it was submitted to the IRS or state. Once your return looks like the original, you can begin the amendment process.

Important: If your initial return was rejected, you can correct and resubmit your e-file without filing an amended return. If you need help, go to the Correct and Resubmit E-Files FAQ.

Due Date
Generally, you can only amend a prior-year return and receive a refund if the amendment is done within three years (including extensions) after the date you filed your original return or within two years after the date you paid the tax, whichever is later.

Steps for Federal Amendment
An amendment should be filed only if the IRS or state has already accepted your return and you need to make changes due to an error, omission, or legislative update.
If you filed the original return through TaxAct, you can create an amended return for free, however, there may be fees for any additional forms required that were not included in the original return. To complete the amendment process for your Federal return:
  1. Ensure that you have a copy of your original return. 
    • If you used TaxAct to file the original, you can choose to print a copy of the original return at this time. If you already have a copy, skip to the next step.
    • If you used another program, or didn’t print or save your return when you filed, you will need to obtain a copy from the IRS before continuing.
  2. Enter the correct information in each part of the return, as applicable. Make a note of each item you are changing and the reason for each change. You will need these notes to complete Form 1040-X.
  3. From within your TaxAct, click Filing, then choose Amend Federal Return. On smaller devices, click the menu in the upper left-hand corner, then click Filing.
    • If you see an error about completing the filing steps prior to amending, you must view the original return. To do so, click Filing on the left, then Print Return. Then you will be able to continue with creating the amended return.
  4. Proceed through the interview questions to create the amended return.
  5. At the end of the process, you will be prompted to either e-file or print Form 1040-X for paper-filing.
Note: The instructions to amend Form 1040-NR are the same as Form 1040.
State Amendment
Check if changes to your federal return require a state amendment. Use the Filing an Amended Individual State Tax Return FAQ if needed.

Filing
You can use the TaxAct Online and Desktop Editions to amended returns for the current and prior two tax years. You can order prior year programs through the TaxAct website Access Prior Year Tax Returns via the Download Products tab.
If you used the Free Federal Edition, you must upgrade to amend a return. For detailed steps to creating a prior year return, go to our Create and File Prior Year Tax Returns FAQ.
Generally, if you are amending a return for the current year, you can e-file Form 1040-X. If you need to file an amended return for a supported prior year, you will need to paper-file. When mailing a Form 1040-X, attach all supporting documentation (e.g., corrected W-2s, 1099s). Contact the IRS at (800) 829-1040 with any questions.

Payments, Refunds, and Penalties
  • Amount Due: Pay any tax liability as you would for an original filing (see the Tax Due Payment Methods (Federal Only) FAQ for details).
  • Refunds: Refunds from e-filed amended returns can be direct deposited. Refunds from paper-filed amendments will be issued by paper check.
  • Penalties and Interest:
    • No specific entry lines exist on Form 1040-X for penalties or interest.
    • The IRS will bill separately for any additional amounts after processing the amended return. See Publication 17 for additional information.
  • Underpayment Penalties:
     Form 1040-X, line 16 should report the amount paid with the original return, however, it should not include any penalties, interest, or fees. If an underpayment penalty was figured on the original return, do not include that amount on Form 1040-X, Line 16.

Multiple Amendments
If multiple amendments are needed:
  1. Complete and print each amended return separately.
  2. Delete Form 1040-X from the Forms Explorer before starting the next amendment (repeat for state forms as needed).
  3. Enter the next set of changes using the previously filed amendment figures as the new "original" amounts for the purposes of the next amendment.
Maintain copies of:
  • The original filed return(s)
  • Each version of the amended return(s)
  • Each Form 1040-X and any applicable state amended returns
Once changes are made, prior versions are no longer accessible within the software.

Amending Scenarios
Filing Status
If you are married and want to change the filing status used on your return after it has been e-filed, you may be able to file an amended return. Whether or not you can choose to do this depends on what the original filing status was, and when you decide to change the status.
Note: If you have a refund on the original return, you should generally wait until you receive that refund before amending.
MFJ to MFS
Generally, you cannot change your filing status from Married Filing Joint (MFJ) to Married Filing Separate (MFS) after the return's due date. See Publication 501 for details.
    • If you itemize on one return, you will need to itemize on the other separate return.
    • Some deductions and credits are limited on separate returns, such as the amount of deductible IRA contributions, education credits, etc.
To complete the amendment:
    1. Locate a copy of your originally-filed MFJ return.
    2. Start two new returns and enter the data for each taxpayer in the program - we recommend creating two new TaxAct accounts in addition to the original account. You will need to determine what data to enter for each return, such as which taxpayer will claim which of the dependents.
    3. The person with the primary social security number on the original return will need to complete Form 1040-X and select "Married Filing Separate" for the filing status. In Part III of Form 1040-X, explain the line number for each item you are changing and the reason for each change.
    4. The person with the secondary social security number on the original return will need to file a new return with a filing status of "Married Filing Separate," and mail this return to the IRS.
    5. Review your returns and determine what corrections you need to make.
    6. 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 the amendment.
    7. Print each of the separate returns and carefully compare each of them with the joint return.
MFS to MFJ
The basic process for filing an amended joint return to replace two separate returns is described in the Form 1040-X Instructions. To complete the amendment:
    1. Locate a copy of each originally-filed return. If you didn’t print or save both returns when you filed, you will need to obtain a copy from the IRS or your state tax agency.
    2. Review your returns and determine what corrections you need to make.
    3. Choose one of the two returns to amend and enter the data for the other spouse in that return in the TaxAct program.
    4. Print the combined return and carefully compare it to each of the separate returns to ensure ALL information has been combined on the amended return.
    5. Complete the amendment Q&A in the TaxAct® program.
Resident to Nonresident Alien
If you mistakenly filed a Form 1040 and you need to file Form 1040-NR, or vice versa, you will need to amend your return.

Repayment of the First-Time Homebuyer Credit
If you filed your return without the First-Time Homebuyer Credit information, when necessary, you may need to file an amended return to report the credit/repayment.  See First-Time Homebuyer / Home Owner Credit for details.

No Dollar Amount Changes
There may be certain circumstances in which you may need to file an amended return where the dollar amounts do not change. See the IRS Instructions for Form 1040-X for details.

Processing and Status
Currently, the normal processing time of up to 16 weeks applies to both paper-filed and electronically filed Amended Returns.
To check the status of your amended return, use Where's My Amended Return? or call the automated tool-free number (866) 464-2050. The application has the most up-to-date information available.

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