Form 1040-X has been one of the last major individual tax forms that needed to be paper-filed, but now taxpayers can quickly correct previously filed tax returns by submitting Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return electronically using commercial tax-filing software. Approximately 3 million Forms 1040-X are filed by taxpayers each year.
Making the 1040-X available to taxpayers as an electronically filed form has been a goal of the tax software and tax professional industry for many years and has been a continuing recommendation from the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC) and Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC).
Currently, taxpayers must mail a completed Form 1040-X to the IRS for processing; however, the new electronic option allows the IRS to receive amended returns faster while minimizing errors normally associated with manually completing the form. Also, because the tax-filing software allows users to input their data in a question-answer format, the process is simplified. It also makes it easier for IRS employees to answer taxpayer questions since the data is entered electronically and submitted to the agency almost simultaneously.
As of now, only tax year 2019 Forms 1040 and 1040-SR returns can be amended electronically, but additional improvements are planned for the future.
Taxpayers still have the option to submit a paper version of the Form 1040-X and should follow the instructions for preparing and submitting the paper form. Those filing their Form 1040-X electronically and on paper can use the Where’s My Amended Return? an online tool at IRS.gov to check the status of their amended return.
As always, don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions.