Discussion:Deadline for Amended Returns
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| 25 February 2006 | |
| Hey!
I am looking into amending a return where the client filed HOH back in 2002. She is currently MFJ, but we would only be amending the return in order to take advantage of tuition she paid for her daughter, as well as points paid on the closing of her home. I took a look at the deadline and it said 3 years from the date originally filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid; whichever is later. It was filed April 10, 2003, so we'd make the deadline. Where would I enter in her change of name? Or would I need to? She doesn't live at the address listed on the original 1040 either. Is there anything I should watch out for? Thanks in advance for your input. | |
| 25 February 2006 | |
| You have until April 15, 2006 to amend. When you do the 1040X attach both the amended tax return and the tax return as it was originally filed. | |
| 25 February 2006 | |
| The original tax return?, Waren.
Is that really needed to prove her new status? What about the new driver license, or the marriage certificate? Mblatour, I would add an explanation of the changes in page 2: For instance: Adding tuitions she paid for her dauther. Adding closing costs of the home, and also, address change. And, the supporting documents. | |
| 25 February 2006 | |
| Attching the original tax return is not to prove her status. It just could make it easier for IRS to note name and address change. I frequently will attach an original tax return to a Form 1040X. Obviously, the 1040X instructions must be followed, so you do have to indicate why you are amending the tax return "Tax return is being amended to include tuition expenses that were omitted from the original income tax return by mistake." She is HOH and umarried for the year being amended there is no reason to attach a marriage certificate or drivers license. Hopefully she has changed her name at the Social Security Administration so that new name and her SSN will match. | |
| 25 February 2006 | |
| I just trying to help people ,trying to get help.. and learning from people with a lot of experience, like you.
Do you know the story of the guy selling in the supermarket? He wrote : Oranges! 50 cents each. Then, a journalist told him: "Why do you write "oranges". These are no VCRs. Are your clients idiots? "Why do you write "each"? Even an idiot would know that you are not willing to sell a dozen of oranges for 50 cents. Then, the seller erased everything and wrote down: "50 cents" Following that, I would not spent a second writting: "Tax return is being amended " When the Irs guy see the 1040X , he will know that. | |
| 25 February 2006 | |
| I have looked and looked and can't find anything that talks about what to do if name has changed, etc. So, are you saying that you should put her current name on the 1040X, and then attach the original return? Seems like that would work, or even if you put her name as originally filed, put in the notes section a remark about the name change? I guess in this situation, I like your suggestion Warren. | |
| 25 February 2006 | |
| You want her current name on the 1040X so that it matches with SSN and so the refund check will be issued with the proper name. | |
| 27 February 2006 | |
| Martineo, one thing I remembered from my favorite tax professor (who worked at the IRS for 17 years) was to use the baseball bat method of explaining things to the Service. Make what you are writing as blatant as a strike over the head with a baseball bat. Better safe than sorry. | |
| 27 February 2006 | |
| Thank you. Today, I sent a W7 in spanish. Lets see what happen.
When I noticed that, I was too tired to find the english version. Then, I add the 1040X in english with an explanation: Adding my mother, that has not a valid SSC as a dependent...and I add all other supporting documents Whatever, I'm doing that for a family member- charging nothing. I told them to certify the letter. Also, following your insatructions, I sent the original 1040 with a note: "Already filed | |
| 28 February 2006 | |
| A 2004 can be amended until April 15, 2008. Three years after the original due date of the return. | |
Natalieiwasa (talk|edits) said: | 13 April 2006 |
| There are cases in which amended return can be filed after three years (worthless securities, bad debt, physical/mental issues). See instructions for 1040x for details. | |
