When to File a Tax Amendment — And When You Shouldn’t
Mistakes happen. Maybe you missed a 1099, forgot a deduction, or reported something incorrectly. But before you rush to amend your tax return — know this:
Not every error needs fixing. Here’s when to amend, and when to leave it alone.
You Should Amend If:
- You received a new W-2 or 1099 after filing
- You forgot to claim a large deduction (like vehicle expenses)
- You filed using the wrong filing status
- You received IRS notice CP2000 showing unreported income
You Don’t Need to Amend If:
- You made math errors (the IRS corrects those)
- You forgot a small deduction that won’t change your refund
- You filed late but haven’t received a letter yet — speak to a pro first!
How to Amend a Return
You’ll need to file Form 1040-X. But if you had a business return (1120-S or 1065), it gets more complex — and timing matters.
Not sure what to do? Let’s review your tax return together before you amend.
