Many taxpayers wonder whether filing an amended tax return (Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) is sort of like admitting to the IRS that you didn’t do it right the first time – and inviting the IRS to look closer. Show
IRS data isn’t clear on whether filing a Form 1040X will increase the chances of an audit. But, one thing is clear: Unlike an original Form 1040 – 90% of which are e-filed – amended returns are processed by an actual person at the IRS. That means the IRS doesn’t automatically accept amended returns. However, the IRS won’t open an audit (or, “examination”) simply because you file an amended return. Here’s what you should know about filing a Form 1040X. An IRS employee will review your return for accuracy and “reasonableness”Because you can’t e-file amended returns, an IRS employee will have to process and accept the return. If you accurately completed the return, you shouldn’t have a problem, even if the IRS asks some questions. Know that the IRS can ask questions, so having supporting documentation is critical. Form 1040X can be harder to prepareThat’s because it requires you to list all the changes that have been made to the return, including any changes that the IRS may have made when it processed the original return, or through an audit, adjustment, or notice. Basically, you must properly report three items:
 For many people, completing the original return was difficult enough. That’s why many people use a tax pro to file amended returns, even if they normally prepare their own returns. Attach specific documents to prevent an auditMany people wonder whether they should attach their supporting documents to an amended return. It depends. Full disclosure is always good to avoid IRS penalties in an audit. But the IRS doesn’t always need everything. You should only attach documents that clearly support the change you’re making to the return. For example, if you just found a charitable contribution statement, you may want to attach it to your amended return to provide a pre-emptive answer to the IRS. Doing so could help prevent an audit. It usually takes the IRS eight to 12 weeks to process a Form 1040XDon’t worry if it takes a while for the IRS to accept your amended return. In general, it takes the IRS eight to 12 weeks to process an amended return, but it can take up to 16 weeks depending on the IRS backlog of amended returns. (The IRS gets about 4 million 1040Xs each year.) The IRS offers a tool to track the status of your amended return: Where’s My Amended Return? Learn about filing amended returns, or get help from a trusted IRS expert. While the IRS promises to have regular season tax returns and associated refunds processed within 21 days for the vast majority of filers, it does take quite a bit longer for them to process amended tax returns and associated refund payments. As discussed below, many tax payers have been waiting months or years to get their amended return processed due to IRS backlogs and capacity constraints.
How Can I Check My Amended Return Status?It’s important to realize that the standard WMR or IRS2Go refund status checking tools from the IRS do not track amended tax return status’. You need to instead use IRS tool, “Where’s My Amended Return” instead (WMAR). You can use this tool to check the status of your Amended Federal Tax Return (Form 1040-X), for this year and up to three prior years. The WMAR tool is updated once a day, usually at night. So checking it multiple times a day won’t help. You will need to provide your SSN, Date of birth and Zip code to use the tool. This tool is normally updated weekly, starting 3 weeks after your mailed submission, in line with IRS processing cycles. But can update more or less frequently depending on IRS actions. Finally, its important to remember that filers can only submit up to three “accepted” Amended Returns. So if you have submitted more than these subsequent filings will get rejected and you won’t see any status for these on WMAR. TurboTax Free Edition: $0 Fed. $0 State. $0 to File. Claim Your Refund Calling the IRS For Amended Return StatusIf the amended return/refund status tool does not provide new updates for several weeks you should call the IRS. But official guidance is to only call the IRS to follow up on delayed amended return refund status’ after 12 weeks. The IRS amended tax return (toll-free) number to call for checking status is 1-866-464-2050. Both the WMAR and IRS number have English and Spanish options. Just be mindful that getting a live agent can require a few attempts and expect some long waits. IRS Transcript for Amended Return Status and Refund Payment DateIn addition to using the WMAR tool, you can also see your official (and free) IRS Tax transcript for your amended return processing and refund payment. This can provide useful insight, per the screenshot below, if the above methods are not providing you with updated or detailed enough information As you can see above, transcript codes 971 and 977 on your tax transcript show that your amended return was received and is being processed by the IRS. A lot of folks with delayed amended returns will see the 971 and 977 codes for a long time on their transcript. It could several months to move to the next stage, reflected in the next code. However you will need to wait till you see code 960 (appointed representative) which will be the date an IRS agent was assigned and starts reviewing/processing your amended return, which a lot of times is a highly manual process. Like transaction codes for regular returns, you may see code 971 if a notice is issued around your return. This could require you at times to provide additional information to the IRS, for which instructions will be provided in the notice/letter. Once the processing is completed by the IRS, you will see code 846 (refund issued) on your return. Note the date as well, as this will also be correlated to when you get your direct deposit or check. Generally you should receive your refund payment within 2 to 5 days of this date. If you were due a refund, which was delayed due to IRS processing, you will also see the interest amount credited to your account. This may come as a separate payment to your refund. Amended Return and Refund Delays Persist in 2022Many filers are seeing still in process status in the WMAR tool reflecting the ongoing delays in the IRS for processing tax returns, which includes Amended returns from the 2020 and 2021 tax seasons. The above message basically means the amendment hasn’t been processed by the IRS within the standard timeframe. It does not necessarily mean there is an issue with your amended return. It’s just that the IRS has not got around to processing (and a lot of times it is a manual activity) your amended return. If there are errors with your amended return, is incomplete or the IRS needs more verification information, they will send you a notice with additional details. See more IRS FAQs here on amended return processing. Processing complete, but no refund payment!Unfortunately even if the WMAR status shows processed like the screenshot below, many taxpayers are reporting ongoing delays with seeing their expected refund payment. The reason for this is that the completed WMAR status does not necessarily mean a refund is forthcoming. This status just means that processing by the IRS has been complete and the next action could result in additional taxes (or assessments), a request to provide more information or an adjusted refund. This is why it is important to pay attention to the notes/message below the status bar which provides more insight into next steps and what to expect. You should also check your transcript for more details and call the IRS number listed (if provided). But you will need to ultimately wait for the IRS to send an official notice to see what actions were taken or are required from you as it relates to your amended return. All this, unfortunately, could mean a longer wait time to see your refund. How Long Will it Take to Get My Refund Payment?Based on the latest tax season statistics, it is taking 6+ months in some cases for the IRS to clear backlogs, which includes amended returns or those that require significant validation. Unfortunately you cannot do much (even calling the IRS or taxpayer advocate service) to expedite this. You’ll just have to be patient and wait for IRS processing to commence. Once this happens, you can review your free IRS transcript for more details and transaction codes (see above section on how to read this). See more around amended return processing and refund delays in this video. IRS Amended Return Processing ScheduleUnlike the regular IRS refund processing schedule where refunds are processed within 3 weeks, you will have to wait up to 20 weeks or more for the IRS to process amended returns since they prioritize regular returns. This has been exacerbated in recent years due to IRS backlogs and staffing shortages. Below is a table showing an estimate of when refunds will be processed (standard schedule), assuming it has been accepted by the IRS. 2022-2023 Amended Tax Return and Refund Processing Schedule
Note that amended return refund payments will only be done via check as the IRS does not allow direct deposit payments at this time. Subscribe via email or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube to get the latest news and updates How long does it take to receive amended tax return after completed?As a reminder, amended returns take up to 16 weeks to process. It can take up to three weeks after filing it to show up in our system. There's no need to call the IRS during that three-week period unless the tool specifically tells you to do so.
How will I receive my amended tax refund?Usually, the IRS accepts amended returns, so most people do not have to worry about this aspect. But everything may take longer to process because amended returns have to be mailed to the IRS. So, if you filed an amended return and you have to receive a refund, it may take up to three months for it to reach you.
Why is my amended tax return taking so long?As of October 30, 2021, the IRS had a backlog of over 2.7 million unprocessed amended returns. The IRS is processing these returns in the order received, and the current processing time posted on its operational page is more than 20 weeks.
Does amended tax return take longer process?It can take three weeks for an amended return to show up in the IRS's system and more than 20 weeks to process an amended return.
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How long does it take to receive amended tax return
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