Amend a Tax Return

When you amend your tax return, the IRS or respective state taxing authority will process your amended return, which will replace your current tax return for that tax year. The amended tax return essentially replaces any other tax returns that you filed for the same tax year. 

Your amended tax return may result in a balance due, a refund or no change on your income tax return. If the amended return results in a balance due, you should pay the balance due as soon as possible because the IRS or state taxing authority may assess penalties and interest while the balance due remains unpaid.

Generally, you should file an amended federal tax return within three years after filing the original return or within two years after you paid any tax due from the return, whichever is later. If you wait too long, you may forfeit any refund that you are entitled to. States have varying rules on how long you have to file an amended return, so you should check with your state taxing authority or a tax pro to determine how long you have to amend your state tax return. 

There are a variety of exceptions to the general rule for how long you have to file an amended tax return. There are exceptions for reporting net operating losses, financial disability, and audit extensions. Additionally, there may be times when it is advisable to file an amended return even if you are outside of the time period for receiving a refund. If you are not sure if you should file an amended tax return, you should contact a tax professional to assist you with determining if filing an amended tax return is necessary in your situation.

Preparing an amended income tax return generally takes about the same amount of time as preparing an original income tax return.

The IRS states that it normally takes up to 16 weeks for them to process an amended tax return. As a result of COVID-19, however, the IRS is now advising that it is taking more than 20 weeks for them to process amended tax returns.

The IRS allows you to check the status of your federal amended personal tax return on their website. You will need your social security number, date of birth and zip code. For tax years more than three years prior to the current tax year, the online status tool will not work. If you amended your individual or business income tax return more than 20 weeks ago, and you have not received a response from the IRS, you can call the IRS to request the status of the amended tax return.

No, the IRS will not audit your tax return just because you file an amended return. The IRS states that filing an amended tax return does not affect the audit selection process for your return. The IRS does point out that the amended return will go through a screening process and that the amended return may be selected for audit. 

One way to reduce the probability that the IRS will audit your amended tax return is to include a clear explanation as to why the return is being amended. You should also attach supporting documents to the amended tax return that clearly show why the original return is being amended. A tax pro can help you prepare your amended return.