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Desktop: Creating and E-Filing an Amended Return (Form 1040-X)

These instructions apply to the TaxSlayer Pro desktop program for years 2020 and forward.
Links to instructions for prior years are at the bottom.

Individual income tax returns originally filed on Form 1040 or 1040-SR, that were submitted and accepted by the IRS, are amended on Form 1040-X. An amended return can be completed for any tax year, however, if a change to a taxpayer's return requires the IRS to issue a refund, the changes must be made using Form 1040-X within 3 years of the original return's due date, or 2 years from the date the return was paid, whichever is later. If the taxpayer owes money to the IRS, the tax return can be amended for any year using Form 1040-X. While most filing statuses can be changed with an amended return, changing from Married Filing Joint to Married Filing Separate is only allowed before the original due date of the return.

To file an amended return in TaxSlayer Pro, begin with the original tax return as it was sent to the IRS. If you did not file the original tax return, it's simplest create the correct return, pull its info into the amended return, and manually enter the original column info. See here for more information.

If you created the original return, before starting the amending process print a copy, either to paper or PDF, so that you'll have a copy of the return as it was originally filed, both for archival purposes as well as to assist in creating or troubleshooting the amended return.

If you're not e-filing the amended return, it and any supporting schedules and forms should be mailed to the appropriate address found in the "Where to File" section of the IRS Instructions for Form 1040-X.

Overview of amending the federal return

The 1040-X has three columns of information: Original amount, Correct amount, and Net change. Completing the 1040-X in TaxSlayer Pro without also completing a state amended return generally follows these steps:

  • Open or create the original federal return.
  • Start the amended return, pulling in the Original amount (skip this step if you didn't create the original return).
  • Exit the amended return menu and make the necessary changes to the original return.
  • Return to the amended return, pulling in the Correct amount.
  • Finish the amended return, answering the questions and adding an explanation.
  • Mark the amended return for electronic filing, if desired. Note that there are two steps involved to e-filing an amended return: (a) indicating that you wish to electronically file the amended return and (b) that you are ready to electronically file the amended return. For the return to be transmitted as amended, both must be indicated in the 1040-X menu.

To amend the federal return without also completing a state amended return, follow Procedure 1 below.

Caveats about e-filing the amended return:

  • If the federal return was paper filed, the amended return must also be paper filed.
  • If you're not seeing the ability to mark the 1040-X for e-file, probably the 1040 hasn't been marked for e-file. Mark the 1040 for e-file, and then you'll be able to mark the 1040-X for e-file.
  • If you see a diagnostic warning that the amended return will need to be paper filed, but you wish to e-file it, mark the 1040-X for e-file.

Amending a state return

State amended returns vary in their format. Some states use a separate form ending in the letter X, and this form may have three columns similar to the 1040-X. Other states amend the original return by checking a check box in the return header to indicate that the return is being amended, or in the case of California including Schedule X with the return indicates it is an amended return. Thus, the process of amending both federal and state returns simultaneously is complicated by which state is being amended.

Additionally, some state amended returns are not supported for electronic filing. If a state amended return isn't supported for e-file, you will be told at some point in the process.

The amended return for the following states follows the federal three-column format.

Follow Procedure 2 for these states:

  • Connecticut
  • Maryland
  • Minnesota
  • New Jersey resident return
  • New Mexico
  • Pennsylvania

For all other states and D.C., follow Procedure 3.


Procedure 1 - Federal return only

To amend only the federal return in TaxSlayer Pro, from the Main Menu of the tax return (Form 1040) select:

  • Miscellaneous Forms
  • Amended Return (1040X)
  • Question: Would You Like to Pull Data to the Original Column? - Answer YES to pull the return as it is into the Original column of the 1040-X. This step is only done once; if you accidentally click Original Column a second time, you will need to refer to the backup printed copy of the return to manually correct the Original Column. 
  • Exit twice back to the Form 1040 Menu.
  • Correct the federal return as needed.
  • When you have finished correcting the federal return, return to Miscellaneous Forms
  • Amended Return (1040X)
  • Question: Would You Like to Re-pull Data to the Original Column? Answer NO, and the return as it now is will be pulled to the Correct column.
  • Complete the remaining menu lines that may need entry:
    • Questions & Explanation
    • Amount Paid with Extensions
    • Amount Paid with Original + Additions
    • Overpayment on Original
    • Apply Refund to - This menu line will display if the bottom line of the amended return is a refund, giving the taxpayer the option to apply the refund to the next tax year. Indicate the two-digit year and amount.
  • If you are e-filing the 1040-X, select Mark Form 1040-X to Send Electronically? and answer YES.
  • If the amended return results in an amount owed to the IRS, you can enter payment information for the payment to be debited from the taxpayer's bank account by selecting Form 1040-X Electronic Payment. Once you enter the Electronic Payment Menu you will need to enter all the details requested (bank routing and account numbers and account type, amount and date of payment, and a daytime telephone number), otherwise to exit the menu select Remove Electronic Payment. Note: the IRS requires the date of payment to be the date you are transmitting the return. You cannot specify a future payment date.
  • If you have indicated that the 1040-X is to be e-filed and it's ready to be sent, select Ready to Send Form 1040-X Electronically? and answer YES.
  • To e-file the return, you will need to manually add it to the E-file Transmission Table.


Procedure 2 - Federal return plus state three-column return

To amend the federal return and amend a state return that follows the federal three-column format in TaxSlayer Pro, from the Main Menu of the tax return (Form 1040) select:

  • Miscellaneous Forms
  • Amended Return (1040X)
  • Edit 1040X Menu
  • Question: Would You Like to Pull Data to the Original Column? - Answer YES to pull the return as it is into the Original column of the 1040-X. This step is only done once; if you accidentally click Original Column a second time, you will need to refer to the backup printed copy of the return to manually correct the Original Column. 
  • Exit twice back to the Form 1040 Menu, then select State Return and select the state being amended.
  • The amended return is located under the Miscellaneous Forms menu (except for New Mexico where you'll find it on the New Mexico Tax Return Menu, and Pennsylvania where you'll find it under Personal Information, then Other Categories). Select the Amended return menu, indicate the year being amended, and pull the Original Column. As with the federal 1040-X, this step is only done once.
  • Exit the state return back to the federal return.
  • Correct the federal return as needed.
  • When you have finished correcting the federal return, return to Miscellaneous Forms
  • Amended Return (1040X)
  • Question: Would You Like to Re-pull Data to the Original Column? Answer NO, and the return as it now is will be pulled to the Correct column.
  • Complete the remaining menu lines that may need entry:
    • Questions & Explanation
    • Amount Paid with Extensions
    • Amount Paid with Original + Additions
    • Overpayment on Original
    • Apply Refund to - This menu line will display if the bottom line of the amended return is a refund, giving the taxpayer the option to apply the refund to the next tax year. Indicate the two-digit year and amount.
  • If you are e-filing the 1040-X, select Mark Form 1040-X to Send Electronically? and answer YES.
  • If the amended return results in an amount owed to the IRS, you can enter payment information for the payment to be debited from the taxpayer's bank account by selecting Form 1040-X Electronic Payment. Once you enter the Electronic Payment Menu you will need to enter all the details requested (bank routing and account numbers and account type, amount and date of payment, and a daytime telephone number), otherwise to exit the menu select Remove Electronic Payment. Note: the IRS requires the date of payment to be the date you are transmitting the return. You cannot specify a future payment date.
  • If you have indicated that the 1040-X is to be e-filed, if it's ready to be sent select Ready to Send Form 1040-X Electronically? and answer YES.
  • Exit back to the Form 1040 Menu, then select State Return and select the state being amended.
  • Select the Amended return menu and the year being amended, and pull the Correct Column.
  • Finish the state amended return including whatever other information it requests. Depending on the state, you may be able to pull in the federal explanation, otherwise you'll have to enter the information the state requires to explain why the return is being amended.
  • To e-file the return, you will need to manually add it to the E-file Transmission Table.


Procedure 3 - Federal return plus state amended check box return

To amend the federal return and amend a state return that doesn't follow the federal amended return format in TaxSlayer Pro, from the Main Menu of the tax return (Form 1040) select:

  • Miscellaneous Forms
  • Amended Return (1040X)
  • Question: Would You Like to Pull Data to the Original Column? - Answer YES to pull the return as it is into the Original column of the 1040-X. This step is only done once; if you accidentally click Original Column a second time, you will need to refer to the backup printed copy of the return to manually correct the Original Column. 
  • Exit twice back to the Form 1040 Menu.
  • Correct the federal return as needed.
  • When you have finished correcting the federal return, return to Miscellaneous Forms
  • Amended Return (1040X)
  • Question: Would You Like to Re-pull Data to the Original Column? Answer NO, and the return as it now is will be pulled to the Correct column.
  • Complete the remaining menu lines that may need entry:
    • Questions & Explanation
    • Amount Paid with Extensions
    • Amount Paid with Original + Additions
    • Overpayment on Original
    • Apply Refund to - This menu line will display if the bottom line of the amended return is a refund, and the taxpayer can choose to apply the refund to the next tax year. Indicate the two-digit year and amount.
  • If you are e-filing the 1040-X, select Mark Form 1040-X to Send Electronically? and answer YES.
  • If the amended return results in an amount owed to the IRS, you can enter payment information for the payment to be debited from the taxpayer's bank account by selecting Form 1040-X Electronic Payment. Once you enter the Electronic Payment Menu you will need to enter all the details requested (bank routing and account numbers and account type, amount and date of payment, and a daytime telephone number), otherwise to exit the menu select Remove Electronic Payment. Note: the IRS requires the date of payment to be the date you are transmitting the return. You cannot specify a future payment date.
  • If you have indicated that the 1040-X is to be e-filed and it's ready to be sent, select Ready to Send Form 1040-X Electronically? and answer YES. (After exiting the return it will be in the E-File Transmission Table and will be sent with the next transmission.)
  • Exit back to the Form 1040 Menu, then select State Return and select the state being amended.
  • Locate the amended question, generally found here:
    • Personal Information
    • Other Categories
  • After indicating the return is amended, finish the state amended return including whatever other information it requests. Depending on the state, you may be able to pull in the federal explanation, otherwise you'll have to enter the information the state requires to explain why the return is being amended.
  • To e-file the return, you will need to manually add it to the E-file Transmission Table.

* - New Jersey non-resident return: New Jersey's instructions for amending the NJ-1040NR are to print it, write "Amended" at the top right corner in bold letters, and mail it.

Note: This is a guide to amending federal and state returns in the TaxSlayer Pro program. This is not intended as tax advice.

Additional Information:

Desktop: State Amended Return Information

Desktop: Tax Year 2019 - Creating and E-Filing an Amended Return

Desktop: Tax Year 2018 and prior - Creating an Amended Return

IRS: Instructions for Form 1040X - Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return