How to Check Your Missouri Amended Tax Return Status
Learn how to track your Missouri amended tax return status, explore available inquiry methods, and understand potential processing timelines and adjustments.
Filing an amended tax return in Missouri may be necessary if you made errors or need to update information on your original submission. After submitting the amendment, many taxpayers wonder how long it will take and how they can track its progress. Since amended returns take longer to process than regular filings, staying informed is important.
Missouri offers several ways to check the status of an amended return. Knowing these options can help ensure any refund or balance adjustments are processed correctly.
Online Status Tools
Missouri provides an online system for tracking amended tax returns, allowing taxpayers to check updates without contacting the Department of Revenue. This tool provides real-time updates on whether the return is under review, approved, or requires additional documentation.
To use the system, visit the Missouri Department of Revenue’s website and navigate to the tax return status section. Enter your Social Security number and the exact refund amount from the amended return, if applicable. Incorrect information can prevent the system from retrieving your status.
The system updates regularly, but processing times vary. If your status hasn’t changed for an extended period, your return may be under detailed review. In some cases, the Department of Revenue may request additional information, which will be reflected in the status update.
Phone Inquiry Options
If you prefer direct communication or need clarification beyond what the online system provides, you can call the Missouri Department of Revenue. Speaking with a representative allows you to ask about processing delays, errors, or additional steps required.
Be prepared to verify your identity by providing your full name, Social Security number, and filing status. Having a copy of your amended return on hand can help, as representatives may request details from the form. If your return includes a refund claim, knowing the exact amount requested is useful for verification.
The Department of Revenue’s phone lines can experience high call volumes, especially during peak tax season. Calling earlier in the day or mid-week may reduce wait times. If the automated system estimates a long wait time, consider using a call-back option if available or trying again later.
Documentation Needed for Verification
Having the correct documentation can prevent delays. Since amended returns involve corrections, tax officials may request supporting records.
If your amendment involved income adjustments, have W-2s, 1099s, or other income statements ready. If you modified deductions or credits, keep receipts, invoices, or official statements that validate the changes.
For amendments related to federal tax changes, a copy of IRS Form 1040-X and any correspondence from the IRS explaining the adjustment can be important. Missouri tax regulations require consistency between federal and state filings, so discrepancies must be documented. If the IRS made changes affecting your state tax liability, providing a federal account transcript can help expedite the review.
In cases involving residency status, dependency claims, or joint-to-separate return amendments, the Department of Revenue may request notarized affidavits or signed statements. If you amended a joint return to file separately, spousal consent documentation may be required. Keeping copies of all correspondence with the state tax agency, including mailed forms and submission confirmations, can help resolve disputes or missing information requests.
Processing Time Considerations
Processing times depend on the complexity of the changes and the volume of filings the Department of Revenue is handling. Unlike original returns, which are often processed within weeks, amendments require a more detailed review.
Missouri does not guarantee a fixed timeframe, but most amended returns take at least 12 to 16 weeks. During peak tax season or periods of increased audit activity, processing can take longer. If your amendment was prompted by federal tax changes, Missouri may wait for IRS confirmation before finalizing state-level adjustments, further extending the timeline.
Possible Adjustments to Refund or Balance Due
Once processed, an amended return may result in a refund adjustment, an additional balance owed, or no change. The Department of Revenue reviews the revised figures to determine whether you overpaid or underpaid.
If a refund is due, the state will issue payment via direct deposit or paper check, depending on your original filing method. Amended return refunds are issued separately from initial refunds and will not be combined into a single payment.
If the amendment results in a higher tax liability, the state will send a notice detailing the additional amount owed, including any interest or penalties. Missouri law requires unpaid balances to accrue interest from the original due date of the return, not the amendment filing date. If you cannot pay the full amount immediately, you may be able to set up a payment plan through the Department of Revenue.
If you received a refund from your original return but the amendment reduces the amount owed, the state may request repayment of the excess funds. Failure to return an overpaid refund could lead to penalties or collection actions.