Filing an Amended Return with the IRS

• To file an amended return to make any of the aforementioned changes, use IRS form 1040X to correct a previously filed form 1040, 1040A, 1040-EZ, 1040EZ-T, 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ. If you expect an additional refund, you will need to wait until you have received the previous refund before filing your amended return. You can file an amended return claiming a refund within three years of the initial deadline or within two years of paying the tax. If you owe taxes for a current return, try to file the amended return and pay the taxes by April 15. Remember, you will be charged interest for any late payment of taxes you owe. (See the link in Resources for form 1040X.)
  
  

Processing Time

• It usually takes 12 weeks to process an amended return after the IRS has received it. Also bear in mind that any changes to your federal tax return could lead to changes in your state return, resulting in either additional tax liability or your being due a state refund. Check with your state's tax authority to learn the procedure for filing an amended state return. Also, if you used tax-filing software like Tax Act, all of these forms may already be part of the software, which will help expedite the process.