10422: 1040 - Generating an Amended Return (Drake18 and prior)

The following information applies to Drake18 and prior. For the new process beginning in Drake19, see Related Links below. 

A 1040-X is used for a number of purposes, including the correction of previously-filed Forms 1040, 1040-SR, 1040-A, 1040-EZ, 1040-EZ-T, 1040-NR, and 1040NR-EZ. (Form numbers vary depending on the year involved.) See the 1040X Instructions for details. 

The 1040-X displays both original return values and the correct, "amended" values. To get original return values to the 1040-X, you can enter them directly on the X screen, or you can auto-fill them from an original return created within Drake Tax using the X screen auto-fill function. In order to get the corrected, "amended" values to the 1040-X, leave the X screen, and make necessary corrections within Data Entry. 

In Drake18 and prior, you cannot e-file an Amended 1040; it must be paper-filed.

Before beginning:

• Read the 1040-X instructions and state amended return instructions (if amending a state return).
• If the return you want to amend exists in Drake Tax, archive or back it up to avoid losing previously-entered data.

In a 1040-X –

• "Column A. Original Amount" is the original return data as filed.
• "Column B. Net Change" is the calculated difference between columns A and C
• "Column C. Correct Amount" is your correct (amended) data.

The X screen can auto-fill Column A or you can enter the Column A values directly on the X screen. After completing the X screen, correct the return in Data Entry. Your corrected values flow to Column C on the 1040-X, and the calculated net change appears in column B.

The following information applies to Drake18 and prior. For the new process beginning in Drake19, see Related Links below. 

Amending a federal return that you originally prepared in Drake Tax.

1. Open the original return you want to amend.
2. Before making any corrections to the return, open the X screen and click Yes to auto-fill the original values. (The amounts that auto-fill on the X screen appear in Column A on Form 1040-X.)
3. Complete any of the necessary fields on the lower half of the X screen.
4. Go to View mode and review the 1040-X. Identify where amending changes should be made.
5. Correct the original return accordingly in Data Entry, then return to View/Print Mode to confirm the results on the 1040-X.
6. The 1040-X cannot be e-filed. You must print and mail it to the address listed in the 1040-X instructions.
7. If the completed 1040-X shows that the taxpayer has an additional tax liability, do not enclose a 1040-V payment voucher. See the instructions for enclosing a check or money order with the amended return, or for other payment options.
8. Although you do not file the original return with the 1040-X, the IRS may require supporting documents, including copies of forms that have changed or that were not submitted with the original return. See the instructions.

Amending a federal return that you did NOT originally prepare.

1. Create the return for the taxpayer.
2. Open the X screen and manually enter the amounts from the original 1040 NOT prepared by you. (The amounts that you enter on the X screen will appear in Column A on Form 1040-X.)
3. Complete the entire return as if you were preparing it originally, but include the corrections which made it necessary to file an amended return.
4. The 1040-X cannot be e-filed. You must print and mail it to the address listed in the 1040-X instructions.
5. If the completed 1040-X shows that the taxpayer has an additional tax liability, do not enclose a 1040-V payment voucher. See the instructions for enclosing a check or money order with the amended return, or for other payment options.

Amend both a state return and a federal return.

State amended returns vary. If there is a state X screen that requires original state data and the original state return exists in Drake Tax, start by auto-filling the state X screen to capture original state data before you modify data entry on either the federal or state screens (the original state return may change if you correct the federal return before completing the state X screen). Complete the federal amended return, and then return to complete the state X screen and make any needed corrections on the state return.

Amend a previously amended return

If the previously-amended return exists in Drake:

• Archive or back it up before proceeding, to avoid losing previously-entered data (see Related Links below for more information on these processes). 
• To amend it, begin by opening and deleting the X screen.
• Now treat the previously-amended return as your original.
• Proceed as in an ordinary amendment, following the steps above.

If neither the previously-amended return nor the 1040-X exist in Drake Tax,

• Create the amended return, or create a basic return by entering demographics,
• Then proceed as in an ordinary amendment, following the steps above.