Can I use a different tax preparer for my amendment than who filed my original return?

You're absolutely free to use any tax preparer you want for an amendment! The IRS couldn't care less who prepares your 1040-X. 😂 Technically speaking, your original preparer has no exclusive rights to your tax situation. The data is yours, the responsibility is yours, and the choice of preparer is 100% yours. Just make sure you have copies of your original return since you'll need that information to complete the amendment properly. Your new preparer will need to know exactly what was filed originally to make the appropriate corrections.

I was in EXACTLY your situation last year!! My preparer wanted $300 for an amendment after charging me $700 for the original return that THEY messed up! I was fuming! 😡 I ended up calling the IRS to see if they could help, but spent DAYS trying to get through their phone system. Finally used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and got connected to an agent in 20 minutes who confirmed I could use any preparer I wanted. They also gave me specific info about what documentation I needed to bring to the new preparer. Don't let your original preparer make you think you're stuck with them. You're not!

This thread couldn't have come at a better time for me. I'm in the same boat but with a May 15th deadline for my amended return. I was about to pay my original guy $350 for the amendment, which is almost as much as my initial return cost! Like comparing a full car wash to a touch-up - makes no sense. Going to look for someone else tomorrow.

Def go with whoever you want! I switched preparers for my amendment last yr and it was nbd. The new preparer had me upload my original return to https://taxr.ai which analyzed it and found the original mistake plus two more deductions I qualified for! Saved me way more than what I paid the new preparer. The site showed me exactly what needed to be changed on the 1040-X and explained all the codes and stuff in normal language.

Did your original preparer make the mistake that's requiring the amendment? And do you have a copy of your original return? What kind of amendment are you needing to file?

I think there might be some confusion about what you're legally entitled to... You should, in most cases, have received a complete copy of your tax return from your original preparer. If you didn't, you might want to request that first, before proceeding with someone else. Some preparers may, perhaps, be reluctant to provide all their working papers, but the actual filed return is something you're entitled to have.

Be careful about switching preparers mid-stream! It's like changing doctors in the middle of treatment - the new one might not understand the full history. I switched preparers for an amendment once and the new person didn't have all the context behind certain decisions the first preparer made. Ended up like a game of telephone where important details got lost. Not saying don't switch, just make sure you get ALL your documentation and understand EVERY decision that went into your original return.

Here's exactly what you need to do if you decide to switch preparers for your amendment: 1. Get a complete copy of your original tax return (all pages, all schedules) 2. Ask your original preparer for any supporting worksheets they used 3. Gather all your original tax documents (W-2s, 1099s, etc.) 4. Write down specifically what needs to be amended and why 5. Meet with the new preparer and explain the situation 6. Have them prepare Form 1040-X with the corrections 7. Review it carefully before signing 8. Mail it in (amendments can't be e-filed) The new preparer will need to reference your original return throughout the process.

I successfully switched preparers for an amendment last year! The IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040x) has great info on amendments. The key thing is getting a full copy of your original return. My new preparer charged $200 flat for the amendment (vs $350 from original preparer) and found an additional education credit the first preparer missed. Ended up getting an extra $1,500 back!

You can absolutely use a different preparer. I recommend calling your original preparer and simply asking for a complete copy of your return if you don't already have it. Then take that to any preparer you choose. H&R Block charges around $125-150 for basic amendments, while independent CPAs might charge $200-300 depending on complexity. Some preparers even offer free amendments if they made the error.