If you have recently filed an amended tax return, you are probably already fretting about the fact that you made a mistake on your federal income tax return. The nervousness doubles over time if you also have to wonder where your amended tax return is, especially if you are waiting for an amended tax refund.
In this blog, we will delve into the A to Z, checking the status of your amended tax return so that you have the right information handy.
What is an Amended Tax Return?
Simply put, an amended tax return can be defined as any tax return you file to ‘amend’ or make corrections on your tax return for the previous year. An amended tax return can help remedy mistakes and might come with certain advantages, such as a ‘refund.’
You have three years from filing your taxes to file an amended return. Most people wrongfully assume that making a mistake on their taxes will incur costly penalties or an audit. However, as long as people are upfront and honest about their mistakes in front of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), there is nothing to worry about, and a correction can be made without any fuss.
For instance, if you have multiple jobs and you forgot to include a W-2 in your total income, you can easily file an amended tax return to correct the problem. However, mathematical errors do not require amendments, as the IRS corrects them automatically during the processing of the taxes.
What Do You Need to Check Your Amended Tax Return Status?
To check your amended tax return status, you need the following documents.
Your Social Security Number (or Individual Tax ID Number)
It is an essential part of your identity as a taxpaying American citizen, and you are also required to check your amended tax return status.
Date of Birth
The second information you need to provide to check your amended tax return status is your date of birth.
Your ZIP Code
Lastly, the ZIP code helps narrow down your state taxation details for an accurate examination of the amended tax return status. After you have the three aforementioned documents ready, you can opt for the IRS’ online portal – Where’s My Amended Return – to track your amended tax return.
The second choice is to call the IRS directly at 1-866-464-2050, but telephoning has longer wait times, particularly during the tax season. However, it takes three weeks for your modified return to reach the IRS system, so wait a month before verifying its progress.
If it has been more than 20 weeks since you submitted your amended return and you have also been checking the status via the online portal but to no avail, then it is time to directly call the IRS and enquire about the status of our amended tax return.
How to File Your Amended Tax Refund: Steps
Now that we know what an amended tax return is let us wrap up the article by reviewing the steps to file an amended tax refund.
Collect Needed Documents
The first step is to collect your original tax return and any new documents you might need to prepare your amended return. For instance, if you need to correct a misreporting, you may need a new W-2 or 1099 form.
Get and Fill out Form 1040-X
The second step is to fill out the columns A, B, and C of the 1040-X form. Column A displays the numbers reported on your previous tax return. Colum B: How much from your original tax return needs amendment, whether an increase or decrease? Lastly, Column C includes the correct amount for your amended tax return.
Submit the Forms
Lastly, you can submit the forms electronically and mail them to the IRS.
