How to Prepare, File 2022 IRS or State Tax Amendment

The step-by-step instructions below guide you through how to prepare and file a free 2022 IRS Tax Amendment on eFile.com and provide directions on completing various state tax amendments. Throughout this process, you'll fill out Form 1040-X, an alternate version of the standard 1040 that the IRS uses when a filer has to change what they've already submitted. 

  • If you did not use eFile.com to prepare and e-File your original 2022 return(s), you can prepare a tax amendment via eFile.com or see these instructions for details.

Amendment Steps

How to Prepare an Amendment
1. Sign In or Sign Up
After you have prepared and e-Filed your return(s) via eFile.com: Sign in to your account 
- If you did not use eFile.com to e-File your original 2022 return(s), sign up now, complete your return online, and prepare the amendment. Alternatively, you could follow these instructions.
2. Change Your current Tax Return Forms, Pages
Make the changes to the original 2022 tax return pages, screens, or forms of the already e-Filed and IRS-accepted returns. Follow these steps to locate the form or page in the eFile app. For example, if you want to change the entries on your W-2, click on that Form and make the changes. For Dependents etc., see the next section.

My Account

3. Change or Add, Dependents, Income Forms, etc.
  • Dependent(s): If you need to add or remove a Dependent, click the Dependents link on the left green menu and make the changes.
  • Income: Click on Income on the left green menu and scroll through the page to add or delete W-2 or 1099 Forms.
  • Deductions, Credit: Click on Deductions & Credits on the left green to add additional deductions.
4. Open your original and completed 2022 return for reference
Open the PDF file of your 2022 tax return, e-filed and accepted by the IRS from your My Account. 
Click on My Account and follow these steps.

My Account

5. Add and complete Tax Amendment Form 1040-X
Add IRS tax amendment form 1040-X to your return.

My Account

6. Complete Form 1040-X
Enter Amounts from Original Return
Enter the Amounts from the original 2022 Tax Return on Form 1040. Use this data map below to enter the data from Form 1040.

Important: Report any overpayment from your original return Form 1040, Line 34 - see below. This will allow the eFile app to calculate your new, adjusted tax balance. For example, the new balance will be calculated if you were given a larger refund than you are owed. At that point, you may owe additional tax or have to send some of your refund back to the IRS.

My Account

7. Complete Form 1040-X Part I, II and III
For this amendment, complete all parts of Form 1040-X as applicable: Part I - Exemptions, II - Campaign Fund, and III - Explanation. Once you finish and save the form, the eFile tax app will compile and recalculate your return, generating a PDF version of the completed Form 1040-X. This document can be viewed on your My Account page at any time.

My Account

8. Review, Download, and Print Form 1040-X and Amended Tax Return
Once you have completed form 1040-X, you can view your amended tax return - including form 1040-X - in your My Account.
Attention: Make sure you use the link I'd like to view a working copy of my Return or Step 3 in the image instructions below.

My Account

9. Print, Sign, and Organize Your Tax Amendment
  • Download, print, and sign your amended return. Include any forms and schedules behind Form 1040-X in the order of the Attachment Sequence No. shown in the upper-right corner of the page.
  • You only need to include any forms or schedules that changed due to your tax amendment.
  • Include supporting statements in the same order as the forms or schedules they support and attach them last. Follow these form sequence instructions.
  • Attention: Don’t attach your originals or other items unless required.

How to organize and attach tax forms:

  • You should include any new copies of income or statement forms with your amended return only if they were not submitted with your original return. For example, if you amend your return because you received a W-2 after filing, include a copy of this W-2. Note that you don't need to attach copies of the information e-filed with your original return.
  • To assemble the amended federal return, include Form 1040-X - make sure to sign it - and any forms/schedules that have changed due to your amendment. Do not send in your original return. Then include documents that support your amendment (W-2, 1099, etc.).
  • Additional supporting documents may include Form W-2 or W-2c; Form W-2G; Form 2439; Form 1099-R (only if taxes were withheld); any Form 1042-S; Form SSA-1042S; Form RRB-1042S; Form 8288-A; Form 8805; any other form that supports changes made on this return.
  • Form attachment by sequence no. Instructions.
10. IRS Tax Payment as a result of the Tax Amendment
You can either include a check with the tax amendment you are mailing to the IRS or pay online at the IRS website at no charge: Pay IRS Taxes online.
Tip: If you owe taxes, file the tax amendment even if you can not pay taxes due now, as you would not face potential late filing penalties, which are generally higher than late payment penalties. Other tax payment options are listed here.
11. IRS Tax Amendment Mailing Address
IRS mailing address for your tax amendment. Once you have signed and organized your forms and form 1040-X, mail your IRS Tax Amendment; you do not need to include your state return(s). When finished and sent off, you may need to wait at least 3 - 4 weeks to check your IRS tax amendment status.
If needed, we also have comprehensive instructions on how to prepare and file State Income Tax Amendments.

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