subject: Do Your Tax Returns Need A Second Opinion? [print this page] It sometimes happens that after mailing in your tax returns, you realize, to your horror, that you have made a mistake (or two). If this sounds familiar it may be time to talk to a tax professional to get your returns amended. In some instances government tax reps will correct basic math errors and even accept basic returns that haven't included all their paperwork. If that happens to you, great! If not, tax professionals are standing by to help.
If you are already aware of mistakes such as filing status, income, deductions etc you should probably look into how to file an amended return now, just in case Uncle Sam comes knocking. The process is typically very easy and simple, depending on what type of error you made on your original tax return papers.
When it is time for you to file an amended return, you will need to use a Form 1040X if you need to fix any errors or mistakes on your previously filed Form 1040, Form 1040A, Form 1040EZ, Form 1040NR, or Form 1040NR-EZ. These forms can be downloaded in PDF format from the IRS website. If you will be filing any additional tax relief returns, it is important that you wait until you receive the amount promised from your original refund before you file additional claim forms.
If you owe taxes and the due date has not passed yet, you will need to file a Form 1040X and make sure that you pay your taxes by the due date so that you are not faced with a lot of penalties and extra interest charges that could have easily been avoided. If your due date falls on a holiday or weekend you will be spared fire and fury till the very next business day.
If you require the assistance of a service center to help you fill out your tax amendment forms, you can find the address and other contact information for the location that is closest to you by looking at the Form 1040X instructions that are listed on the IRS website. Or you can call the IRS customer service line so that a professional can help you with all of your tax concerns.
There may be a situation come up when amending your tax return that may require the help from a legal advisor in order to get the refund amount that you deserve without any penalties. A tax lawyer can help you with any type of legal tax needs that you may encounter during the form amendment process. Some of the reasons why you may need the assistance of a professional lawyer are if you need someone to handle a highly complex, technical or legal tax issue that you can not solve on your own, if you have a taxable estate or you need to configure a estate planning strategy, and if you are planning on bringing a suit against the IRS, you will definitely require the help of a legal advisor.
These lawyers can also assist you with plans to find independent review of your case before you face US Tax Court, if you happen to be under criminal investigation with the IRS, or if you have every committed tax fraud, which would include claiming false income, deductions or credits. If this is the case then you will require the help and protection from a lawyer in order to resolve your case.
It is important that you ask the lawyer that you plan on choosing if they have any type of experience working with similar cases to your own, and if they will, indeed, be able to help you with your own legal tax needs. If not another tax attorney may be able to assist you better and get your case won.
As you are filing your Form 1040X it is important that you remember to attach any copies that you may have of any original forms or schedules that you are changing or will need to be changed due to the amendment. This includes any W-2 forms that you may have as well as any you received after you initially filed your tax return. Call the IRS at 800-829-3676 and have them send you exactly what you will need to amend your return or better yet go to their website and download forms from there. Keep in mind that amended tax forms can not be processed online by using the e-file system, even if you used this system to file your initial tax return. Typically the IRS processes a 1040X within 8-12 weeks from the date they receive your paperwork.
