I Made a Mistake on My Return. What Do I Do?

Made a mistake on your tax return and wondering what to do next? Mistakes happen, and there are plenty of ways to rectify them. What happens next depends on the type of mistake. Some errors can delay processing or change your refund, while others may be automatically corrected by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). And if the mistake affects your filing status, income, deductions, credits, dependents, or tax liability, you may need to file an amended return using IRS tax Form 1040-X.

What happens if I file my taxes wrong?

If you made a mistake while filing taxes, don’t stress. What happens really depends on the mistake. Here are some common results triggered by errors on your tax return:

• Processing delays. Processing delays or e-file rejection can happen if you enter your Social Security Number (SSN) incorrectly.
• Error message. You might see this if you make a mistake when electronically filing, such as a typo or entering your SSN incorrectly. An error code may pop up detailing what mistake you’ve made, giving you the opportunity to fix it right then and there.
• IRS notices. The IRS may send you notices for several reasons, such as notifying you of changes or corrections to your return, asking a question about your return, verifying your identity, or delaying the processing of your return.
• Penalties and interest. You may receive penalties or interest from the IRS if you’ve underpaid your taxes. 
• Adjustments to your refund. The IRS will reduce or increase your tax refund amount based on the mistake or correction you’ve made.

Note: Passed in 2025, the IRS Math and Taxpayer Help Act is intended to improve the clarity of IRS math and clerical error notices and better explain taxpayers’ rights.

What is an amended return?

An amended return, otherwise known as Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, is basically a chance to correct any impactful mistakes you made on your original tax return.

An amended return is only for mistakes that would significantly impact your return. For example, it likely isn’t worth filing an amended return for small amounts that wouldn’t meaningfully change your tax liability.

For example, you may need to amend your return if you made a mistake regarding your:

• Filing status
• Income
• Deductions
• Tax credits
• Dependents
• Tax liability
• Withholding or other payments 

You typically wouldn’t amend your return if:

• You made a math error
• The IRS requests a W-2 or a schedule you forgot to attach 
• The IRS already corrected the return and notified you 

Filing an amended tax return

When you want to amend your tax return, you’ll need to file Form 1040-X.

Here’s a preview of the first page of Form 1040-X:

Though it may look a bit overwhelming at first, filling out Form 1040-X is easier than it looks.

It’s important to remember that you’re not necessarily re-filing your entire return. Form 1040-X is an amendment to your original return, not a complete do-over. When filing Form 1040-X, you only need to update the lines or items that need correction. For Form 1040, 1040-SR, and 1040-NR, you’ll also need to submit all necessary forms and schedules with Form 1040-X. The IRS explains that you’ll need to include all these documents “even if some forms have no adjustments.”

Here’s what you’ll see when filing Form 1040-X:

• Basic identifying information. Enter your name, address, Social Security Number, and tax year (add your spouse’s information if you filed jointly).

• The corrected numbers in the 3-column format. Form 1040-X is built around three columns: the amount as originally filed or previously adjusted by the IRS, the net change, and the correct amount. You use this format for the income, deductions, credits, tax, payments, refund, or balance due items that have changed. 
• A brief explanation of what changed. In Part II, Explanation of Changes, you need to explain why you’re amending the return. Here, you’ll explain the specific correction, like a missing W-2, a corrected credit, a filing status change, or another adjustment. 
• Correct and update your return. The IRS requests that you complete a new Form 1040, 1040-SR, or 1040-NR (whichever is applicable to you) with your updates/corrections/changes for the year being amended, showing the corrected figures. 
• Attach supporting documents and schedules. Along with updating and completing the form and/or schedules, you’ll need to attach them to Form 1040-X. You’ll notice this is requested at the top of the form. Be sure to attach the updated return, not the old original version you filed.
• Payment, if you owe more tax. If the amendment increases your tax, you should include payment information or pay electronically. The IRS also notes that you should not include interest or penalties on Form 1040-X, as the IRS will adjust them separately.

How long does it take to get an amended tax refund?

The IRS says amended returns generally take 8 to 12 weeks to process, though some can take up to 16 weeks.

How can I check my IRS amendment status?

You can check your amendment status online via the IRS website about three weeks after submission. To check the status of your amended return, you’ll need your:

• SSN
• Date of birth
• Zip code

Can you file taxes twice if you forgot something?

No, you can’t file your taxes twice, even if you forgot something. Instead, you should file an amended return to include any information you forgot to add.

Filing your taxes wrong isn’t the end of the world. Some mistakes are corrected by the IRS during processing, while others require action on your part. If the error affects your filing status, income, deductions, credits, dependents, or the tax owed, filing Form 1040-X is usually the right next step. The most important thing is to respond appropriately to the type of mistake you made. Read any IRS notice carefully, don’t rush into amending when it isn’t necessary, and if you do need to correct your return, include a clear explanation and the right supporting forms.

File an amended return with TaxAct for a quick and easy filing experience.

This article is for informational purposes only and not legal or financial advice.

All TaxAct offers, products and services are subject to applicable terms and conditions.

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