| If you need to make a change or adjustment on a | | | | 7. If you are amending more than one tax return, |
| return you already filed can do so by filing an amended | | | | prepare a 1040X for each return and mail them in |
| return. Here are the top 12 things you should know | | | | separate envelopes to the IRS processing center for |
| about amending your federal tax return. | | | | the area in which you live. The 1040X instructions list |
| 1. Taxpayers needing to amend their return use Form | | | | the addresses for the centers. |
| 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. | | | | 8. If the changes involve another schedule or form, |
| 2. Taxpayers can use Form 1040X to correct | | | | attach it to the 1040X. |
| previously filed Forms 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. The | | | | 9. If you are filing to claim an additional refund, wait until |
| 1040X can also be used to correct a return filed | | | | you have received your original refund before filing |
| electronically. | | | | Form 1040X. You may cash that check while waiting |
| 3. Taxpayers should file an amended return if they | | | | for any additional refund. |
| discover any of the following items were reported | | | | 10. If you owe additional tax for 2008, you should file |
| incorrectly: filing status, dependents, total income, | | | | Form 1040X and pay the tax as soon as possible to |
| deductions or credits. | | | | limit interest and penalty charges. Interest is charged on |
| 4. Generally, you do not need to file an amended | | | | any tax not paid by the due date of the original return, |
| return for math errors as the IRS will be able to make | | | | without regard to extensions. |
| the correction for you. | | | | 11. If you owe additional tax for 2008, make sure to |
| 5. You also do not usually need to file an amended | | | | adjust next year’s estimated tax payment |
| return because you forgot to include forms – such | | | | vouchers. |
| as W-2s or schedules – when you filed; the IRS | | | | 12. Make sure if you need to amend state return as |
| normally requests those forms from you. | | | | well. If so, do it now. Don’t wait until state to issue |
| 6. Be sure to enter the year of the return you are | | | | you a notice with interest and penalty. |
| amending at the top of Form 1040X. Generally, you | | | | Articel Source: at: |
| must file Form 1040X within three years from the date | | | | Are you paying too much for your taxes / |
| you filed your original return or within two years from | | | | bookkeeping? |
| the date you paid the tax, whichever is later. | | | | |