If you just filed your taxes, you probably feel relieved. So why would you amend? Perhaps you discover that you omitted the income from a Form 1099 (so you’ll owe IRS more). Or maybe you forgot to claim a key deduction like your state taxes, mortgage interest or a big contribution to charity. Fixing those mistakes might get you a refund. The error might be in your favor or the government’s. Whatever the situation, if you already filed, it’s not too early to amend. But should you?
It depends. The IRS says that math errors are not a reason to file an amended return. The IRS will correct math errors on your return. You normally also need not file an amended return if you discover that you omitted a Form W-2, forgot to attach schedules, or other glitches of that sort. The IRS may be able to process your return without them, or will request them if needed.
If you are evaluating whether to amend, ask yourself whether the return you filed was accurate to your best knowledge when you filed it. If it was, you are probably safe in not filing an amendment. You might want to, but you probably do not have to. Next ask if you can correct it without amending. You usually can’t correct a tax return without amending it.
However, if you file a ‘superseding’ return before the due date of the original return (including extensions), it can take the place of the originally filed return. In effect, the “errors” of the first original return didn’t happen. It can be used to make an election that cannot be made on an amended return, or to make certain other changes. But be careful with this unusual procedure. You might confuse the IRS and end up having a dispute about which of the “original” returns is valid, and whether an amended return actually functions as a superseding one.
Apart from this odd exception, you can generally only fix mistakes by amending your return. If you find you made a mistake, receive revised Forms 1099 or K-1, etc., the IRS says you should amend. But you are not actually required to file an amended tax return. If you do, though, you can’t make only corrections that get you money back, but not those that increase your tax liability. Every tax return–including amended ones–are filed under penalties of perjury. So be accurate and complete.
Original Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2016/04/19/amending-just-filed-taxes-irs-tips-for-amended-tax-returns/#115eee016eed
