Amended Tax Return Status

Where’s Your Form 1040X?

The stress of tax season can translate to mistakes on your federal income tax return which could then cause you to miss out on a tax refund or have you owing money to the IRS when you shouldn’t have.

No matter where you went wrong or how your incorrect federal return impacted you, filing an amended individual income tax return can resolve your dilemma.

If you are looking for help with the IRS, or if you filed a paper return and you’re wondering “where’s my amended return?”, then rest easy. Amended tax returns may take more processing time, and the IRS is required to complete them.

The IRS isn’t the only government agency handling amended returns. If you’re updating a state tax return in California, you may also be wondering when the Franchise Tax Board will finish updating your return. You may also be waiting for the New Jersey Division of Taxation to respond about a requested refund amount.

If you’re looking for support with your amended tax returns, whether state or federal, contact us.

How to Check Your Amended Return Status and Refunds

Go to the IRS’ Where’s My Amended Return tool and follow the automated prompts. You will need your:

  • Social Security Number or Individual Tax ID Number (ITIN)
  • Tax Deductions
  • Zip Code

After you’ve filled in all of your information, you’ll be able to view the status of your amended return as well as your exact requested refund amount.

Decoding the Different Amended Tax Return Statuses

There are a few different results you may get when you check the status of your return. According to the IRS Frequently Asked Questions on Amended Returns page, here’s what each amended status indicates:

  • Return Received: Your amended return has been received and is being processed. It can take up to 16 weeks to complete return processing.
  • Return Adjusted: An adjustment has been made to your original return and will result in a tax refund, balance due, or no change to your tax liability, depending on how the correction impacts your tax return.
  • Return Completed: Your return has been completed, and the IRS is mailing you follow-up information and potentially a replacement check.

The IRS also notes that their Where’s My Amended Return database updates once per day, typically at night, so you can check the system daily to follow the status of your amended return.

Check Your Amended Return Status vs. Check Your Refund Status

If your amended return shows you’re due a refund check, you’re probably wondering where’s my refund? Don’t jump to the first Where’s My Refund tool on IRS.gov.

Normally, you would check your refund status with the Where’s My Refund status tool on IRS.gov. However, that tool is only for original tax returns. If you’re due a refund check, you’ll receive a direct deposit to your financial institution within three to five business days if you requested one. Otherwise, you’ll get a paper check by mail.

Instead, if you’re owed an individual income tax refund check on an amended return, then you’ll need to check the Where’s My Amended Return? tool.
Refunds are issued every business day. Allow for extra processing time for amended returns.

I Have Not Received My Amended Tax Refund

The IRS can take 16 weeks to process a tax refund from an amended return. If you have not received your tax refund or credit within that timeframe and you have utilized their ‘Where’s My Amended Return’ tool to check on your amended return status, then call the IRS at 1-866-464-2050 to inquire about your case.

Why so long? Longer processing times are the cost of preventing identity theft. Fraud investigators need to check for any identity-based risks, especially if someone tries to file a 1040X from your mailing address.

Amended Tax Return FAQs

To stay in good standing with the IRS, keep the following answers in mind when dealing with amended tax returns.

If you discovered an error on your tax return but haven’t filed an amended return just yet, you’ll want to figure out if your situation requires you to do so. If you filed a tax return or even a tax extension, then you have three years from the latest date-of-file to obtain your refund or credit.

If you paid the tax, then that window becomes two years. If you need to file an amended tax return, then we encourage that you either file or seek professional help.

According to the IRS, certain mistakes or errors, such as math errors, may not call for an amended return because those are typically rectified when your original return is being processed. However, an error on your filing status would require you to file an amended tax return.

You need to file amended individual income tax return if you need to change your:

  • Filing Status
  • Income Amounts
  • Tax Deductions
  • Income Tax Credits

The IRS recommends filing an amended return in order to correct the error. Grab a Form 1040X and any other backup forms, such as Form 1099-INT or Form W-2 from the relevant year.

Some tax return mistakes do not need to be amended. A common one is a math mistake, especially if it is minor, as the IRS will correct it on their end and notify you if a correction was made.

Part III of Form 1040X requires you to explain, with your own words, what went wrong in your original tax return. Exercising brevity is recommended but withholding information is not. Be concise and honest. The IRS wants to understand why this amendment is occurring.

After you have sent in Form 1040X, ensure that your state taxes do not also need to be amended. Sometimes, the root of the problem affects both tax filings.

While there is no conclusive evidence that amended tax forms trigger audits, tax professionals tend to recognize a relationship between the two. Be aware that, especially if you are asking for a large return, the IRS may investigate your case.

Need Help Amending Your Return?

Do not wait before filing an amended tax return, particularly if you are positive the original is inaccurate.

Follow the process with meticulousness and allow 16 weeks after your submission to pass. If by then your amended tax returns have not been processed, reach out to the IRS, or seek the help of a tax professional like the experienced staff at Community Tax. Our experienced team is capable of supporting you with both federal and state tax return amendments.

Get Tax Help.

Get a personal consultation.

How did you hear about us?

By entering your phone number and clicking the “Get Tax Help” button, you provide your electronic signature and consent for Community Tax LLC to contact you with information and offers at the phone number provided using an automated system, pre-recorded/artificial voice messages, and/or text/SMS/MMS messages. Consent is not required as a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply.

Amended Tax Return Status

Where’s Your Form 1040X?

The stress of tax season can translate to mistakes on your federal income tax return which could then cause you to miss out on a tax refund or have you owing money to the IRS when you shouldn’t have.

No matter where you went wrong or how your incorrect federal return impacted you, filing an amended individual income tax return can resolve your dilemma.

If you are looking for help with the IRS, or if you filed a paper return and you’re wondering “where’s my amended return?”, then rest easy. Amended tax returns may take more processing time, and the IRS is required to complete them.

The IRS isn’t the only government agency handling amended returns. If you’re updating a state tax return in California, you may also be wondering when the Franchise Tax Board will finish updating your return. You may also be waiting for the New Jersey Division of Taxation to respond about a requested refund amount.

If you’re looking for support with your amended tax returns, whether state or federal, contact us.

How to Check Your Amended Return Status and Refunds

Go to the IRS’ Where’s My Amended Return tool and follow the automated prompts. You will need your:

  • Social Security Number or Individual Tax ID Number (ITIN)
  • Tax Deductions
  • Zip Code

After you’ve filled in all of your information, you’ll be able to view the status of your amended return as well as your exact requested refund amount.

Decoding the Different Amended Tax Return Statuses

There are a few different results you may get when you check the status of your return. According to the IRS Frequently Asked Questions on Amended Returns page, here’s what each amended status indicates:

  • Return Received: Your amended return has been received and is being processed. It can take up to 16 weeks to complete return processing.
  • Return Adjusted: An adjustment has been made to your original return and will result in a tax refund, balance due, or no change to your tax liability, depending on how the correction impacts your tax return.
  • Return Completed: Your return has been completed, and the IRS is mailing you follow-up information and potentially a replacement check.

The IRS also notes that their Where’s My Amended Return database updates once per day, typically at night, so you can check the system daily to follow the status of your amended return.

Check Your Amended Return Status vs. Check Your Refund Status

If your amended return shows you’re due a refund check, you’re probably wondering where’s my refund? Don’t jump to the first Where’s My Refund tool on IRS.gov.

Normally, you would check your refund status with the Where’s My Refund status tool on IRS.gov. However, that tool is only for original tax returns. If you’re due a refund check, you’ll receive a direct deposit to your financial institution within three to five business days if you requested one. Otherwise, you’ll get a paper check by mail.

Instead, if you’re owed an individual income tax refund check on an amended return, then you’ll need to check the Where’s My Amended Return? tool.
Refunds are issued every business day. Allow for extra processing time for amended returns.

I Have Not Received My Amended Tax Refund

The IRS can take 16 weeks to process a tax refund from an amended return. If you have not received your tax refund or credit within that timeframe and you have utilized their ‘Where’s My Amended Return’ tool to check on your amended return status, then call the IRS at 1-866-464-2050 to inquire about your case.

Why so long? Longer processing times are the cost of preventing identity theft. Fraud investigators need to check for any identity-based risks, especially if someone tries to file a 1040X from your mailing address.

Amended Tax Return FAQs

To stay in good standing with the IRS, keep the following answers in mind when dealing with amended tax returns.

If you discovered an error on your tax return but haven’t filed an amended return just yet, you’ll want to figure out if your situation requires you to do so. If you filed a tax return or even a tax extension, then you have three years from the latest date-of-file to obtain your refund or credit.

If you paid the tax, then that window becomes two years. If you need to file an amended tax return, then we encourage that you either file or seek professional help.

According to the IRS, certain mistakes or errors, such as math errors, may not call for an amended return because those are typically rectified when your original return is being processed. However, an error on your filing status would require you to file an amended tax return.

You need to file amended individual income tax return if you need to change your:

  • Filing Status
  • Income Amounts
  • Tax Deductions
  • Income Tax Credits

The IRS recommends filing an amended return in order to correct the error. Grab a Form 1040X and any other backup forms, such as Form 1099-INT or Form W-2 from the relevant year.

Some tax return mistakes do not need to be amended. A common one is a math mistake, especially if it is minor, as the IRS will correct it on their end and notify you if a correction was made.

Part III of Form 1040X requires you to explain, with your own words, what went wrong in your original tax return. Exercising brevity is recommended but withholding information is not. Be concise and honest. The IRS wants to understand why this amendment is occurring.

After you have sent in Form 1040X, ensure that your state taxes do not also need to be amended. Sometimes, the root of the problem affects both tax filings.

While there is no conclusive evidence that amended tax forms trigger audits, tax professionals tend to recognize a relationship between the two. Be aware that, especially if you are asking for a large return, the IRS may investigate your case.

Need Help Amending Your Return?

Do not wait before filing an amended tax return, particularly if you are positive the original is inaccurate.

Follow the process with meticulousness and allow 16 weeks after your submission to pass. If by then your amended tax returns have not been processed, reach out to the IRS, or seek the help of a tax professional like the experienced staff at Community Tax. Our experienced team is capable of supporting you with both federal and state tax return amendments.

Get a personal consultation.

How did you hear about us?

By entering your phone number and clicking the “Get Tax Help” button, you provide your electronic signature and consent for Community Tax LLC to contact you with information and offers at the phone number provided using an automated system, pre-recorded/artificial voice messages, and/or text/SMS/MMS messages. Consent is not required as a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply.