Legal Definitions - amended tax return

An amended tax return is a form that you file with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to correct mistakes that you made on a previously filed tax return. This form is called Form 1040X.

Some examples of mistakes that you might need to correct include:

• Misreporting your earnings or tax credits
• Claiming the wrong number of dependents
• Choosing the wrong filing status
• Forgetting to claim a credit

If you realize that you made a mistake on your tax return, it's important to file an amended tax return as soon as possible. This will help you avoid any penalties for failing to report income or not paying enough taxes.

Here's an example:

Let's say that you filed your tax return for the previous year and claimed a tax credit for buying a new electric car. However, you later realized that you forgot to claim another tax credit for installing solar panels on your home. In this case, you would need to file an amended tax return to correct your mistake and claim the additional credit.