Form 1040-X - How to Create an Amended Return

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.

When you originally filed your return, you were prompted to print your return during the filing steps. You should always print and save a copy of your return, as that is your only record of the return as it was originally filed. If you didn’t print or save your return when you filed, you will need to obtain a copy from the IRS or your state tax agency before continuing.

Once you have a printed copy of your original return, go back to the Q&A and make the needed changes. Make a note of each change and the reason; you’ll need these notes to complete Form 1040-X Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.

Items changed on your federal return may automatically transfer information to your state return.

To complete the amendment process for your Federal return:

1. From within your TaxAct return (Online or Desktop), click Filing to expand, then click Amend Federal Return. On smaller devices, click in the upper left-hand corner, then click Filing.
2. The program will proceed with the interview questions for you to complete the amended return.
3. You may have already completed the steps listed to print the return and modify/add/delete information.
4. At the end of the process, you will be prompted to print Form 1040-X and the mailing address for the form will be provided.

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 the Filing down the left to expand, then click Print Return. You'll need to go all the way through this process until it actually prints the return (you don't need to print on paper, just clicking to view it is sufficient). Once you do this, you can click Filing to expand, then click Amend Federal Return to continue.

If you choose to mail Form 1040-X, print the amended return and mail it to the IRS. Attach any required accompanying documents, such as forms created in the return due to the changes made, or any documentation that would support the changes made (corrected Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement).

To complete the amendment process for your State return:

1. From within your TaxAct return (Online or Desktop), click State on the left, then click your state. On smaller devices, click in the upper left-hand corner, then click State.
2. Click Amended Return and the program will proceed with the interview questions for you to complete. Note. If you don't see the Amended Return topic, click Miscellaneous Topics to expand to find that topic. (You may have already completed those steps listed to print the return and modify/add/delete information).
3. With most states, at the end of the process, you'll be prompted to print the amended form and the mailing address will be provided. If not, click Filing on the left to expand, then proceed through the Mail Paper Return steps to print and mail your amended return. Most states require that an amended return be filed by mail. If the state allows e-filing of the amended return, this option will be available in the filing steps.

Special Circumstances

What if I didn't file my return with TaxAct?

Anyone can file an amendment with TaxAct, even if they used a different provider or mailed in their 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.

Related Links

• For additional instructions and mailing addresses, see the IRS Instructions for Form 1040-X.
• Normal processing time for Form 1040-X is up to 16 weeks from the IRS receipt date. Please see the IRS Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.
• You can track your Federal amended return using the IRS Where's My Amended Return? tool.
• You may need to verify with your state whether amending the federal return necessitates that you also amend your state return. Click here for steps to Amending Your State Return.

Note that any link in the information above is updated each year automatically and will take you to the most recent version of the document at the time it is accessed.