How to get a copy of my 1040x

You can make a change to your tax return 72 hours (3 days) after you’ve filed it, for example because you made a mistake. You’ll need to make your changes by:

• 31 January 2023 for the 2020 to 2021 tax year
• 31 January 2024 for the 2021 to 2022 tax year

If you miss the deadline or if you need to make a change to your return for any other tax year you’ll need to write to HMRC.

Your bill will be updated based on what you report. You may have to pay more tax or be able to claim a refund.

Updating your tax return

How you update your tax return depends on how you filed it.

Online tax returns

1. Sign in using your Government Gateway user ID and password.

2. From ‘Your tax account’, choose ’Self Assessment account’ (if you do not see this, skip this step).

3. Choose ‘More Self Assessment details’.

4. Choose ‘At a glance’ from the left-hand menu.

5. Choose ‘Tax return options’.

6. Choose the tax year for the return you want to amend.

7. Go into the tax return, make the corrections and file it again.

Paper tax returns

Download a new tax return, and send HMRC the corrected pages. Write ‘amendment’ on each page, and include your name and Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) - this is on previous tax returns or letters from HMRC.

Check your Self Assessment paperwork for the address. If you cannot find this, send your corrections to the address for general Self Assessment enquiries.

If you used commercial software

Contact the software provider for help correcting your tax return. Contact HMRC if your software is not able to make corrections.

Write to HMRC

Write to HMRC if you need to make a change to your tax return from the 2019 to 2020 tax year or earlier.

Include in your letter:

• the tax year you’re correcting
• why you think you’ve paid too much or little tax
• how much you think you’ve over or underpaid

You can claim a refund up to 4 years after the end of the tax year it relates to. If you’re making a claim, also include in your letter:

• that you’re making a claim for ‘overpayment relief’
• proof that you’d paid tax through Self Assessment for the relevant period
• how you want to be repaid
• that you have not previously tried to claim back this refund
• a signed declaration saying that the details you’ve given are correct and complete to the best of your knowledge

Changes to your bill

You’ll see your amended bill straight away if you updated your tax return online. Within 3 days, your statement will also show:

• the difference from the old one, so you can see whether you owe more or less tax
• any interest

To view this, sign in using your Government Gateway user ID and password and choose ‘View statements’ from the left-hand menu.

If you’re owed tax

To claim a refund, go to ‘Request a repayment’ from the left-hand menu within your HMRC online account. Allow 4 weeks for your refund to be sent to your bank account.

You may not get a refund if you have tax due in the next 35 days (for example for a payment on account). Instead, the money will be deducted from the tax you owe.

If you need to pay more tax

Your updated bill will also show:

• the deadline for paying
• the effect on any payments on account you need to make

If you sent an updated paper return

HMRC will send you an updated bill within 4 weeks. They’ll also pay any refund directly into your bank account, as long as you included your bank details on your tax return.

An amended tax return corrects mistakes on a federal tax return. Here's how to file a Form 1040-X with the IRS, when to amend a tax return and other rules you need to know.

What is an amended tax return?

IRS Form 1040-X, also known as an amended tax return, is a form that taxpayers can file with the IRS to correct mistakes made on a federal tax return. The form is typically used to reconcile errors concerning filing status, income, deductions or credits claimed or tax liability.

How does an amended tax return work?

IRS Form 1040-X is the form you fill out to amend or correct a tax return. On that form, you show the IRS your changes to your tax return and the correct tax amount.

• If you’re fixing more than one year of returns, you’ll need to fill out a separate Form 1040-X for each. You’ll also need to include forms or schedules affected by the changes.

• If you're filing Form 1040-X to get money back, you generally need to do so within three years of filing your original return or within two years of paying the tax, whichever is later.

You might catch an error before the IRS does, or you might receive new tax documents after you’ve already filed — if your employer sends you a revised W-2, for example. In those cases, don’t fire off a letter to the IRS saying, “Forgot to include some income. Here’s 10 bucks" or "You owe me $50." Fill out Form 1040-X.

The IRS also has an interview-style tool that can help you to determine whether your situation requires filing an amended return.

🤓Nerdy Tip

In 2020, the IRS began allowing taxpayers to file Form 1040-X electronically. This means you can file an amended 1040 and 1040-SR form for tax years 2019, 2020, 2021 (and beyond) online. If you need to file an amended return for an older return (2018 or earlier), the amended return must be filed with the IRS by mail.

You can file an amended tax return on your own

People with simple tax situations and small changes might be able to file an amended tax return on their own. Many major tax software packages include modules that will file an amended tax return. Many tax preparers are happy to file amended returns as well.

And note: Amending your federal tax return could mean having to amend your state tax return, too.

Ask if your preparer charges for an amended tax return

If you used a human tax preparer, don’t assume they will amend your tax return for free or pay the extra taxes, interest or penalties from a mistake. For example, if you forgot to give the preparer information or gave incorrect information, you’ll likely have to pay for the extra work.

If the error is the preparer’s fault, who pays for an amended tax return may depend on the wording in your client agreement.

Keep an eye on the calendar

Generally, the IRS audits only returns from the previous three tax years — though there are major exceptions. So although it might be tempting to wait and see if the IRS will catch you in an error, it might be cheaper to fess up sooner rather than later.

The IRS charges interest and penalties on outstanding tax liabilities going all the way back to the original due date of the tax payment. So the longer you wait to fix a mistake, the more expensive that mistake can get.

Where's my amended return?

If you've filed Form 1040-X and are wondering, "Where's my amended return?" there's good news: You can track the progress by using the IRS's online tracking tool or by calling the IRS.

• It can take three weeks for an amended return to show up in the IRS’s system and more than 20 weeks to process an amended return.

• If nothing has happened after 20 weeks, check the online tracking tool, call the IRS or ask someone at a local IRS office to research your amended return.

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	Federal: $29.99 to $84.99. Free version available for simple returns only. State: $36.99 per state. Online Assist add-on gets you on-demand tax help.

How do I find my 1040x?

Can I get a copy of my tax return from the IRS website?