Avoid Tax Troubles
July 2, 2023
How Amended Tax Returns Can Save Your Day
Filing your tax return accurately is crucial to avoid unnecessary tax troubles. However, it's not uncommon to discover errors or overlooked information after you've already filed. Fortunately, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows taxpayers to amend their returns using Form 1040X.
In this blog post, we'll explore how amended tax returns work, the importance of seeking professional assistance, and how our firm can help you navigate the complex world of tax resolution.
Uncovering Missed Income and Deductions:
Sometimes, taxpayers file their returns only to realize later that they omitted certain sources of income, such as earnings from temporary jobs or side gigs. This oversight becomes apparent when they receive a 1099 or a late W2 form indicating the income earned. Similarly, others may discover they were entitled to additional deductions or exemptions. For such cases, amending your tax return is the appropriate course of action.
Understanding the Timeframe:
The IRS allows individual income tax returns to be amended up to three years after the original return's due date. Form 1040X is the official document used for amending returns. While you can file an amended return on your own, it's strongly recommended to consult a tax resolution professional. They possess the expertise to handle multiple years of unfiled tax returns, potentially negotiate reduced payments, and save you from unnecessary headaches.
The Amended Tax Return Process:
Not all errors require filing an amended return. The IRS automatically corrects simple math mistakes. However, when there's a need to change filing status, income, allowable deductions, or credits, filing an amended return is essential. To initiate this process, you'll need to complete Form 1040X, which cannot be electronically filed. This is where the expertise of a tax professional becomes invaluable, as they can guide you through the intricacies of the form.
Proper Documentation and Explanation:
When completing Form 1040X, each amended tax year requires its own separate form, each of which must be mailed in its own envelope. The form provides space to explain the changes made, and it's important to clearly state the line numbers and reasons for the amendments. While you don't need to attach a copy of the original return, any additional IRS forms or supporting documents must be included to substantiate the changes.
Processing Time and State Returns:
After mailing your amended return, it may take several weeks for the IRS to process it. It's worth noting that amending your federal return may also necessitate changes to your state tax return, especially if the amendment involves reporting increased income. Consulting a tax resolution professional will ensure that all necessary steps are taken to address both federal and state tax matters.
Seeking Expert Assistance for Tax Debt Cases:
If you anticipate owing money to the IRS after filing your return, it's crucial to engage the services of experienced tax resolution firms like ours. Our tax resolution specialists possess specialized skills that go beyond what traditional accounting or tax law firms can offer. Our firm specializes in tax problem resolution and boasts a team of CPAs, EAs, and attorneys who can represent you before the IRS. Contact us today for a no-obligation confidential consultation, and let us help you explore permanent solutions to your tax problems.
In conclusion, amending your tax return can rectify errors, report missed income, or claim additional deductions. The process involves completing Form 1040X and mailing it to the IRS. While it may take time for the IRS to process your amended return, seeking professional assistance from a tax resolution expert ensures that the procedure is handled accurately and efficiently. Don't let tax troubles overwhelm you—reach out to our firm today
and take the first step towards resolving your tax issues for good.
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Tax season started in late January, but the IRS’s latest statistics show that many Americans are still waiting to file their taxes. As of February 7, 7.7% fewer tax returns have been received by the agency compared to a similar time frame last year, according to its latest data release. While the IRS expects filing numbers to even out, the IRS.gov website has experienced a 40% decline in visits this year to date over last year. Francine Lipman, CPA, a tax law professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, says the reasons could be endless but probably come down to simple procrastination. “Despite all the Super Bowl ads, I don’t believe that tax issues are on people’s radar yet,” adds Lipman. This is surprising considering the political climate, says Jordan Rippy, an accounting professor at Johns Hopkins University’s Carey Business School, who expected to see an uptick in returns filed this year. “Given the general climate surrounding the new administration, I would have expected more anxiety in the general population and a desire to receive refunds more quickly,” she tells Fortune. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reportedly visited the IRS on Thursday to begin analyzing the agency’s operations. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, later posted on X that “if your refund is delayed, they could very well be the reason.” Average tax refunds are higher this year so far The rise in electronic filing is one of the biggest changes to the tax system in the last decade. With over 90% of individual taxpayers now filing their returns online, the process has become easier to handle for many Americans. But taxpayers still miss out on over $7 billion in underclaimed and unclaimed tax credits and deductions each year. In the 2025 tax season to date, tax filers have received a 18.6% increase in their average refund amount ($2,065) compared to this time last year ($1,741). The IRS cautions this isn’t a perfect indicator of the final trend in tax refunds, since it’s early in the season. The agency says most refunds are issued within 21 days. In the final analysis, the average refund last year was around $3,138. Compared to 10 years prior, last year’s average rebate was down nearly 30% on an inflation-adjusted basis. Rippy says she is surprised that average tax refunds have not decreased more as Americans realize they can adjust their withholdings and get more money per paycheck throughout the year. “If you receive a large tax refund, what you've essentially done is given a loan to the government over the last year that you didn't have to give them, and you've done that interest-free,” says Rippy. At the same time, she admits that the fact that many Americans expect a big refund year after year is a good thing, as it’s a form of forced savings. While many end up saving their refund, others use it to pay down debt, make a home improvement, or go on vacation. Need help filing your taxes or having issues with the IRS? Receive your free consultation from Advantage Tax Relief today! https://www.advantagetaxrelief.net/request-form or by calling (630) 773-3200.
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