Can I Cancel My Tax Return After It’s Been Filed?

Once a tax return is submitted and accepted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), it cannot be canceled, retracted, or stopped. The filing process is final at the point of acceptance. If you discover an error or omission after your return has been successfully filed, the official procedure for making corrections is to file an amended return. It is a common misconception that a return can be withdrawn. Understanding the status of your return is the immediate next step, as the path forward depends on whether the IRS has formally accepted or rejected your initial submission.

Determining if Your Return Was Accepted or Rejected

The course of action you take after identifying a mistake depends on the status of your electronically filed return. You can check this status through the tax software you used to file or by visiting the IRS website. You will receive an email notification from your software provider within 24 to 72 hours, confirming whether the IRS has accepted or rejected your return. A “Rejected” status means the IRS found an error, such as a misspelled name or an incorrect Social Security number, and has not processed the return. In this case, you can correct the specified error and re-submit the original return.

An “Accepted” status indicates that your return has passed the initial checks and is now in the IRS processing system. Once accepted, any necessary changes must be made by filing an amended return. For those who file a paper return, it is considered accepted as soon as it is mailed. Therefore, if you mailed a return and then discovered an error, you should assume that you will need to file an amended return.

When to File an Amended Return

You are required to amend your return if you need to correct your filing status, such as changing from Single to Married Filing Jointly, or if you must adjust your total income because you forgot to include a Form W-2 or Form 1099. An amendment is also required to correct the number of dependents claimed or to claim deductions or credits that were overlooked on the original return.

Some situations do not require you to file an amended return. The IRS will automatically correct minor mathematical or clerical errors it finds during processing. If such a correction results in a change to your refund or tax owed, the agency will notify you by mail. You also do not need to file an amendment if you forgot to attach a specific form, like a W-2; the IRS will send a notice requesting the missing document.

Preparing Your Amended Return

To correct your tax return, you must use Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Before you begin, gather a copy of your original tax return as it was filed, along with any new or corrected documents that necessitate the change, such as a corrected W-2c or a late-arriving 1099.

Form 1040-X is structured with three main columns to report your changes. Column A is for the figures from your original return, Column C is for the corrected figures, and Column B shows the net difference between Column A and Column C. A part of the form is Part III, “Explanation of Changes.” In this section, you must provide a clear and concise explanation for each change you are making. For example, if you received another W-2 after filing, you would state that you are amending to report additional wage income and reference the specific line numbers on the form that are being adjusted.

Submitting the Amended Return

For tax year 2019 and subsequent years, the IRS allows Form 1040-X to be filed electronically through most tax software providers. If you are amending a return for an older tax year or one that was originally filed on paper, you may need to mail the form. The mailing address varies, so you must refer to the official Form 1040-X instructions on the IRS website to find the correct address for your situation.

Once submitted, you can track the status of your amendment using the “Where’s My Amended Return?” tool on the IRS website. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and zip code to use the tool. Processing an amended return is a lengthy process; it can take up to three weeks to appear in the system and 20 weeks or longer for full processing. If your amendment results in additional tax owed, you should pay it when you file the amendment to minimize interest and penalties. The IRS will bill you for any interest that has already accrued.