Amending a return is not unusual and it doesn't raise any red flags with the IRS. In fact, the IRS doesn't want you to overpay or underpay your taxes because of mistakes you make on the original return you file.
If you amend your return before it is due (before April 15), then your amendment is timely, and no interest or penalty will accrue. Also, the IRS can be quite reasonable, especially for a first-time mistake.
It could make you look bad and give the IRS more reason to closely examine your tax history. The kind of mistake you make could also play a role in deciding whether or not to amend. For example, if you forget to attach a Form W2, or you made some math errors, you probably don't need to send in an amended return.
Note: filing an amended return does not affect the selection process of the original return. However, amended returns also go through a screening process and the amended return may be selected for audit. Additionally, a refund is not necessarily a trigger for an audit.
You generally must file an amended return within three years of the date you filed the original return or within two years after the date you paid the tax, whichever is later.
Amending won't delay your original refund. However, if you're amending to claim more money, the IRS says to wait until you've received your original refund before filing an amendment.
If you realize there was a mistake on your return, you can amend it using Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. For example, a change to your filing status, income, deductions, credits, or tax liability means you need to amend your return.
There's no charge to file an amended return (1040X). You'll have to file it on paper (print, sign, and mail) since IRS won't accept e-filed amended returns.
If your amended return shows you owe more tax than on your original return, you will owe additional interest and probably penalties too. Even though you might be amending a return from two years ago, the due date for your original return and for payment has long passed.
As a reminder, amended returns take up to 16 weeks to process. It can take up to three weeks after filing it to show up in our system. There's no need to call the IRS during that three-week period unless the tool specifically tells you to do so.
Remember that the IRS will catch many errors itself
For example, if the mistake you realize you've made has to do with math, it's no big deal: The IRS will catch and automatically fix simple addition or subtraction errors. And if you forgot to send in a document, the IRS will usually reach out in writing to request it.
The IRS does check each and every tax return that is filed. If there are any discrepancies, you will be notified through the mail.
If you need to make a change or adjustment on a return already filed, you can file an amended return. Use Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, and follow the instructions.
How long will it take to process an amended return? A Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return can take up to 16 weeks to process once we receive it.
If you make a mistake on a tax return you've already filed, the IRS allows you to correct those mistakes by filing an amended tax return. If the correction results in an increase in the amount of tax you owe, it's to your advantage to file the amendment to avoid potential interest and penalties on the underpayment.
Subject to $125 minimum charge.
While the chances of an audit are slim, there are several reasons why your return may get flagged, triggering an IRS notice, tax experts say. Red flags may include excessive write-offs compared with income, unreported earnings, refundable tax credits and more.
Audit trends vary by taxpayer income. In recent years, IRS audited taxpayers with incomes below $25,000 and those with incomes of $500,000 or more at higher-than-average rates. But, audit rates have dropped for all income levels—with audit rates decreasing the most for taxpayers with incomes of $200,000 or more.
It is a federal crime to commit tax fraud and you can be fined substantial penalties and face jail time. Lying on your tax return means you committed tax fraud. The consequences of committing tax fraud vary from case to case. There are generally 5 different potential consequences, ranging in severity.
Failing to report all of your income on your tax return is a top audit trigger. That's because income that goes unreported on your tax return also goes untaxed. The IRS receives copies of your W-2 and 1099 forms and will automatically check to see that your reported income matches up.
Tip. You can take some comfort in the fact that the Internal Revenue Service audits less than 1 percent of all tax returns each year.
Many filers are seeing still in process status in the WMAR tool reflecting the ongoing delays in the IRS for processing tax returns, which includes Amended returns from the 2020-2021 tax season. The above message basically means the amendment hasn't been processed by the IRS within the standard timeframe.
Amended Returns
In that case, you can file an amended return. The interest on refunds for amended returns is calculated starting from either the original deadline, if you filed on time, or the original filing date, if you filed late, and ending about 30 days before the IRS issues the refund.
The IRS said it's taking longer to process tax returns for the 2020 tax year, and up to a month longer to process amended returns. "It's taking us more than 20 weeks (instead of up to 16 weeks) to process amended returns," the agency said on its site. "Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS," the agency said.