Info IRS.gov

You can fix mistakes or omissions on their tax return by filing an amended tax return. The following tips may help if you need to amend your return.

Use Form 1040X,  Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to correct the tax return. An amended tax return can’t be filed electronically.  Mail the Form 1040X to the address listed in the form’s instructions. You may need to amend for the following reasons:

  1. Amend to correct errors. File an amended tax return to correct errors or make changes to an original tax return. ( change filing status, correct their income, deductions, credits, etc.).
  2. Don’t amend for math errors or  missing forms. The IRS will automatically correct these items. If you forgot to attach tax forms, such as a Form W-2 or a schedule, the IRS will mail a request for the information if needed.
  3. File within three-year time limit. Taxpayers usually have three years from the date they filed the original tax return to file an amended tax return to claim a refund. A taxpayer can file it within two years from the date they paid the tax, if that date is later. For example, to file a claim for a refund for tax year 2013 the deadline is April 18, 2017.
  4. Use separate forms for each year. Taxpayers who are amending more than one tax return must file a Form 1040X for each tax year. Mail each year’s Form 1040X in separate envelopes to avoid confusion. Write the tax year of the amended return on the top of the Form 1040X.
  5. Attach other forms with changes. If you used other IRS forms or schedules to make changes, attach these to Form 1040X.
  6. Wait to file for corrected refund for tax year 2016. If due a refund from their original tax year 2016 return,wait to get the refund before filing Form 1040X to claim an additional refund.
  7. Pay additional tax. If the taxpayer will owe more tax, they should file Form 1040X and pay the tax as soon as possible to avoid penalties and interest.
  8. Track your amended return. Try tracking the status of your amended tax return three weeks submitting on irs.gov and select “Where’s My Amended Return”. The tool can track the status of an amended return for the current year and up to three years back. If you filed amended returns for multiple years, you can check each year, one at a time.