Already filed your tax return and discovered that something may be missing or incorrect?
Not every mistake requires an amended return. The first step is reviewing what was originally filed and what has changed.
Help Correcting a Previously Filed Tax Return
Discovering a problem after filing your taxes can be frustrating, but the appropriate response depends on the type of error.
An amended tax return may be appropriate in certain situations involving:
- Missing income
- An omitted W-2
- An omitted 1099
- Corrected tax documents
- Incorrect income information
- Certain filing-status corrections
- Certain dependent-related corrections
- Business income or expense corrections
- Rental-property information
- Other information affecting the original return
We can review the available information and determine whether amended-return preparation falls within the services we provide.
What Is an Amended Tax Return?
An amended return is generally used to make certain corrections or changes to a tax return that has already been filed.
The amendment does not replace the fact that the original return was filed. Instead, it reports applicable corrections or changes to the previously filed information.
The appropriate process depends on:
- The tax year
- Type of return
- Information originally reported
- Information being corrected
- Whether the original return has been processed
- Other applicable circumstances
Do I Need to Amend My Tax Return?
Not necessarily.
Finding an error does not automatically mean you should immediately file an amended return.
Some issues may be handled differently depending on the circumstances.
Before proceeding, it can be helpful to review:
- The originally filed return
- The information originally used
- The new or corrected documentation
- The tax year involved
- The nature of the correction
After reviewing the information, the appropriate next step can be determined.
Common Reasons for Amending a Tax Return
Missing W-2
Did you file and later discover a W-2 from another employer?
The missing information may affect the return and should be reviewed.
Missing 1099
A taxpayer may receive or locate a 1099 after the original return was filed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Examples may involve applicable:
- Contractor income
- Freelance income
- Interest
- Dividends
- Retirement distributions
- Other reportable information
The document should be compared with the originally filed return.
Corrected Tax Documents
Sometimes an employer, financial institution, brokerage, business, or other organization issues a corrected tax document.
Examples may include corrected:
- W-2 forms
- 1099 forms
- Investment-related tax documents
- Other applicable information returns
A corrected document does not necessarily mean the same action is required in every case. The change should be reviewed against the original return.
Incorrect Income
If income was reported incorrectly on the original return, an amendment may be appropriate depending on the circumstances.
Bring documentation supporting the corrected information.
Dependent Information
Certain errors involving dependents may require additional review.
Examples may involve:
- Incorrect identifying information
- Dependency eligibility
- Other information affecting the return
Dependent eligibility is determined under applicable tax requirements.
Filing Status
If you believe an incorrect filing status was used, the original return and applicable circumstances should be reviewed.
Not every filing-status change is permitted in every situation or at every point in the filing process.
Deductions or Credits
Additional information discovered after filing may potentially affect a deduction or tax credit.
Eligibility depends on the applicable tax rules and the taxpayer's circumstances.
An amendment should not be filed simply to claim a deduction or credit without documentation supporting eligibility.
Amending a Return With 1099 Income
Independent contractors and self-employed taxpayers may discover missing or corrected business-income information after filing.
Examples may involve:
- Missing 1099 forms
- Corrected 1099 forms
- Previously omitted business income
- Incorrect business-income information
- Certain business-expense corrections
- Other applicable business records
Bring your original return and complete business documentation for the year involved.
Amended Returns for Self-Employed Taxpayers
Self-employed returns can involve numerous income and expense records.
If information needs to be corrected, relevant documentation may include:
- 1099 forms
- Customer payment records
- Business bank statements
- Expense records
- Equipment records
- Mileage documentation
- Other applicable business information
Business expenses should be supported by appropriate records and must satisfy applicable tax requirements.
Business Tax Amendments
A previously filed business return may require correction if material information was omitted or reported incorrectly.
Potential issues may involve:
- Business revenue
- Expenses
- Assets
- Ownership information
- Partner or shareholder information
- Other applicable business activity
The appropriate correction process depends on the business structure, return type, tax year, and circumstances.
We can review qualifying situations to determine whether the requested correction falls within the business tax services we provide.
LLC Tax Return Corrections
LLCs can have different federal tax classifications.
An LLC may potentially be treated for federal income tax purposes as a:
- Disregarded entity
- Partnership
- S corporation
- Corporation
Because of these differences, correcting an LLC-related tax filing depends on how the LLC is treated for federal tax purposes and which return was originally filed.
Partnership & Corporate Return Corrections
Partnership, S corporation, and corporate returns can involve correction procedures different from those used for individual returns.
Additional documentation may be necessary involving:
- Business income
- Expenses
- Ownership
- Partner or shareholder information Distributions
- Assets
- Prior filings
- Other applicable information
More complex situations may require services beyond standard amended-return preparation.
Rental Property Tax Amendments
Rental-property information can sometimes be missing or incorrect on an originally filed return.
Potential issues may involve:
- Rental income
- Property expenses
- Property acquisition information Improvements
- Depreciation information
- Property sale information
- Other applicable rental activity
Rental-property corrections can be particularly sensitive when depreciation or information carried forward from earlier tax years is involved.
The relevant records and prior returns should be reviewed before making changes.
Correcting Multiple Sources of Income
Taxpayers with several income sources have more documents to track.
Examples include:
- Multiple W-2s
- W-2 + 1099
- W-2 + business income
- W-2 + rental income
- Retirement + employment
- Business + rental income
If one source was omitted or reported incorrectly, bring documentation for the entire situation so the effect on the original return can be evaluated.
Can I Amend a Return Prepared by Someone Else?
In qualifying circumstances, it may be possible to prepare an amendment even when another tax preparer prepared the original return.
To evaluate the situation, we will generally need access to the complete originally filed return and the documentation supporting the requested correction.
Additional information may be necessary depending on the complexity of the original filing.
What Documents Do I Need for a Tax Amendment?
The exact documents depend on what needs to be corrected.
Common items may include:
- Original Tax Return
Bring a complete copy of the return that was originally filed, including applicable schedules and supporting forms.
Corrected or Missing Documents
Examples may include:
- Missing W-2
- Corrected W-2
- Missing 1099
- Corrected 1099
- Investment-related tax documents
- Retirement-income documents
- Other applicable tax forms
- Supporting Documentation
Depending on the correction:
- Business records
- Expense records
- Dependent information
- Education documentation
- Rental-property records
- Property records
- Other supporting information
- IRS or Tax Agency Correspondence
If you received a notice concerning the return, bring the complete notice and any related correspondence.
Do not ignore tax-agency correspondence simply because you are considering an amended return.
How Our Tax Amendment Process Works
Schedule an Amendment Review
Tell us which tax year is involved and generally what you believe needs to be corrected.
Provide the Original Return
We need to understand what was previously reported before determining what may need to change.
Provide New or Corrected Documentation
Submit the applicable missing, corrected, or additional records.
Sensitive tax documents should be provided through an appropriate secure method rather than an ordinary unsecured contact form.
Review the Difference
The original return is compared with the new information to identify the relevant correction.
Determine the Appropriate Filing
If an amended or corrected return is appropriate and falls within the services we provide, the applicable correction can be prepared.
Review & Complete the Process
Applicable review, signature, authorization, filing, and recordkeeping requirements are completed according to the return and circumstances involved.
Should I File an Amendment Immediately?
Not always.
Timing can matter.
For example, if an original return was recently filed and has not completed processing, the appropriate next step may depend on the circumstances.
Similarly, receiving a tax notice or corrected document does not mean you should automatically submit an amendment without reviewing the situation first.
Bring the relevant documents so the appropriate filing approach can be determined.
Does Amending a Return Guarantee a Larger Refund?
No.
An amended return can potentially:
- Increase an amount due
- Decrease an amount due
- Increase an overpayment or refund
- Decrease an overpayment or refund
- Produce another result depending on the correction
The outcome depends on the information being changed and applicable tax rules.
We do not promise a particular refund or tax result before reviewing the complete information.
What If the Correction Means I Owe Additional Tax?
Correcting a return can sometimes result in additional tax.
The amount, timing, and any applicable interest or penalties depend on the circumstances and applicable rules.
Delaying action does not necessarily make the underlying issue disappear.
What If I Received a Tax Notice?
If you receive a notice from the IRS or another tax authority, read it carefully and pay attention to any response deadline.
Bring:
- The complete notice
- The originally filed return
- Related tax documents
- Previous correspondence
- Any other relevant records
A tax notice does not automatically mean an amended return is the appropriate response.
Notice-response or tax-resolution representation may involve services beyond standard tax-return preparation.
Prior-Year Tax Amendments
Corrections are not limited to the current tax year.
An earlier return may potentially require amendment depending on:
- The year involved
- Nature of the correction
- Applicable deadlines
- Available documentation
- Other circumstances
Older tax years can require additional review.
Why Choose Us for Amended Tax Return Preparation?
Careful Review
An amendment starts with understanding what was originally filed and what information has changed.
Individual & Business Returns
We review qualifying amendment situations involving individuals, self-employed taxpayers, landlords, and businesses.
Multiple Income Types
We understand returns involving combinations of W-2, 1099, self-employment, business, retirement, and rental income.
Clear Communication
We explain what documents are needed and what information is being corrected.
No Unrealistic Promises
We do not promise that amending a return will automatically produce a refund or a particular tax result.
Tax Amendment Services Throughout Central Florida
We provide qualifying tax amendment services for clients throughout Orlando and surrounding Central Florida communities, including:
- Orlando
- Kissimmee
- Winter Park
- Winter Garden
- Ocoee
- Apopka
- Altamonte Springs
- Sanford
- Lake Mary
- Clermont
- Davenport
- St. Cloud
- Lake Nona
- Dr. Phillips
- Windermere
- Deltona
- DeLand
- And surrounding Central Florida communities
Visit our Areas We Serve page for additional service locations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amended Tax Returns
Can you help correct a tax return I already filed?
Yes, depending on the return and circumstances. We can review qualifying previously filed returns and determine whether amended-return preparation is appropriate and within the services we provide.
Do I need to amend if I forgot a W-2?
A missing W-2 can affect a previously filed return. The original return and missing W-2 should be reviewed to determine the appropriate next step.
What if I forgot a 1099?
Bring the 1099 and your originally filed return for review. Applicable income may require correction depending on what was previously reported.
What if I receive a corrected W-2 or 1099?
Compare the corrected document with the information used on the original return. A correction may require additional action depending on what changed.
Can you amend a return another preparer filed?
Potentially, yes. We generally need a complete copy of the originally filed return and documentation supporting the correction.
Can you amend a business tax return?
We can review qualifying business returns. The correction process depends on the entity structure, return type, tax year, and circumstances.
Can you amend an older tax return?
Potentially. Applicable deadlines, the year involved, available documentation, and the reason for the correction must be considered.
Will an amended return increase my refund?
Not necessarily. An amendment can increase or decrease the tax, refund, or other amounts depending on the correction.
Should I amend my return if I received an IRS notice?
Not automatically. Review the notice first. The appropriate response depends on what the notice says and the circumstances involved.
Need to Correct a Previously Filed Tax Return?
If you believe your previously filed tax return contains missing, incorrect, or outdated information, gather your original return and the documents supporting the change. We can review qualifying situations and determine whether amended-return preparation is appropriate and within the services we provide.