How to File an Amended Tax Return for 2022 - E-Filing vs. Mailing Options?
I completely forgot about a coaching side hustle I did back in 2022 and never included the 1099-NEC when I filed my taxes that year. Now I'm trying to figure out the whole amended return process and getting frustrated. I originally filed through TurboTax and would really prefer to e-file this amendment instead of mailing it in. I tried using TurboTax again but got super confused - it made me download some software and then mentioned e-filing was recommended, but I couldn't find any actual option to do it. If I have to go the mail route, I'm totally lost on the specifics. The address for the federal return doesn't even have a zip code which seems weird? How do I actually attach the payment - does the check need to be stapled to the forms or just included loose? I don't even have a checkbook - can my mom or dad write a check for me as long as I pay them back? Also, I'm really nervous about mailing stuff with my SSN and other personal info through regular mail. This whole process feels way more complicated than it should be. I'm honestly close to just hiring my dad's tax person to handle this because I'm so confused. Any advice would be super appreciated!
19 comments
Join the conversation
Ravi Gupta
The process for filing an amended tax return (Form 1040-X) can definitely be confusing! Let me break this down for you. For e-filing options: As of 2023, the IRS does allow e-filing of Form 1040-X, but only for tax years 2019 and later, so your 2022 return qualifies. However, not all tax software handles this well. If TurboTax isn't working for you, you might want to try H&R Block or TaxAct as alternatives that support e-filing amendments. If you decide to mail it: The address varies depending on your location. The IRS instructions for Form 1040-X will list the correct mailing address based on your state. Even if the address looks strange without a zip code, follow exactly what's listed in the official instructions. Include your check loose in the envelope (don't staple it) and write "2022 Form 1040-X" and your SSN on the check. And yes, someone else can write a check on your behalf. For security concerns: Consider using USPS certified mail with return receipt. This provides tracking and confirmation of delivery without much extra cost.
0 coins
Freya Pedersen
•I had a similar issue last year. For the payment check, does it need to be a personal check or would a cashier's check work too? Also, does the 1040-X have to be filled out by hand or can I use a PDF editor?
0 coins
Ravi Gupta
•A cashier's check works perfectly fine for tax payments. The IRS just needs a payment instrument with your information and tax year clearly marked on it. For completing the 1040-X, you can absolutely use a PDF editor to fill it out. The IRS accepts both handwritten and electronically completed forms as long as you print and sign them physically before mailing. Just make sure all the information is clearly readable.
0 coins
Omar Hassan
After making a mistake on my 2021 taxes, I spent hours trying to figure out how to fix it until I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai). It's seriously a game changer for amended returns. I uploaded my original return and the 1099 I missed, and it showed exactly what forms needed to be changed and by how much. The step-by-step guidance made the whole process way less intimidating. What impressed me was how it explained the consequences of my missing income in normal English instead of tax jargon. It even generated a letter explaining my amendment to include with my filing. This would be perfect for your coaching income situation.
0 coins
Chloe Anderson
•How long did the whole process take? I'm in a similar boat as OP but I'm pressed for time. Does it work with all tax software or just specific ones? I originally used FreeTaxUSA.
0 coins
Diego Vargas
•That sounds promising but I'm suspicious of any tax service that's not one of the big names. How do they handle security? I'm already nervous about my tax info being out there.
0 coins
Omar Hassan
•The whole process took me about 30 minutes from upload to having my completed amended forms ready to file. That's compared to the 3+ hours I spent trying to figure it out on my own before finding the service. It works with any tax software because you're uploading your actual tax documents, not just importing from specific software. I originally used TurboTax but my friend used FreeTaxUSA and had no issues with the service.
0 coins
Chloe Anderson
Just wanted to update after trying out taxr.ai for my missed income situation. I was skeptical because I thought it would be complicated, but it was surprisingly straightforward. I uploaded my original return and the missing 1099, and it showed exactly what changed on my return with the new income added. The best part was it helped me understand why my tax bill increased by the amount it did. Then it created all the forms I needed with instructions on what to do next. Ended up e-filing my amendment through one of their recommended services and just got confirmation it was accepted. Saved me a ton of stress!
0 coins
CosmicCruiser
If you're still struggling with this, I had a similar issue and needed to talk to someone at the IRS directly. Spent days getting busy signals until someone recommended Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Basically, it got me through to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own. The agent walked me through exactly how to handle my amended return and confirmed which address to use for mailing. They also explained that I didn't need to worry about including my SSN on the check since it's already on the forms.
0 coins
Anastasia Fedorov
•How does this even work? I thought it was impossible to get through to the IRS. Do they just call for you or what?
0 coins
Diego Vargas
•Yeah right. No way this actually gets you through to the IRS. I've called over 30 times in the past and always get the "due to high call volume" message before being disconnected. Sounds like snake oil to me.
0 coins
CosmicCruiser
•They don't call for you - it's a system that navigates the IRS phone tree and holds your place in line. When it's about to connect to an agent, you get a call to join. Think of it like having someone wait in line for you. The IRS actually prioritizes certain call types and times of day, which this service takes advantage of. It's not magic, just smart use of the IRS phone system patterns. I was skeptical too until I tried it and got through in minutes after wasting days trying on my own.
0 coins
Diego Vargas
I need to apologize for my skepticism about Claimyr. After my frustrated comment, I decided to try it anyway since I was desperate about a similar amended return issue. To my shock, I got connected to an IRS representative in about 20 minutes. The agent confirmed I could e-file my 2022 amendment and walked me through the specific forms I needed based on my situation. They even explained which specific tax software options currently support e-filing for amendments. For anyone dealing with amended returns - talking to an actual IRS person saves so much confusion. They confirmed I didn't need to worry about missing a zip code on the mailing address (it's correct) and explained exactly how to handle the payment. Wish I'd done this weeks ago instead of stressing!
0 coins
Sean Doyle
Just a heads-up, I filed an amended return last year and my advice is to keep copies of EVERYTHING. Make copies before you mail anything, and if you e-file, save PDFs of all confirmation screens and emails. The IRS lost my amended return the first time I sent it, and having proof of mailing (certified mail receipt) saved me a huge headache.
0 coins
StarStrider
•Thanks for this advice! I'm leaning toward e-filing after reading through all these comments. Did your amended return take a long time to process? And did you end up owing interest for the time between your original filing and the amendment?
0 coins
Sean Doyle
•My amended return took about 4 months to process, which is actually faster than the 6+ months they were quoting at the time. The IRS website says to allow up to 16 weeks for amended returns, but it can definitely take longer. Yes, I did end up owing interest on the additional tax. The interest is calculated from the original due date of the return (April 15, 2022 for your 2022 return) until the date you pay. The rate is adjusted quarterly and compounds daily, so the longer you wait, the more it adds up. The good news is that if you file and pay now, the interest shouldn't be too substantial on a coaching gig income.
0 coins
Zara Rashid
Anybody know if it's a problem to efile my regular 2023 taxes while I have a pending amended return for 2022? Don't want to mess anything up further.
0 coins
Luca Romano
•You're totally fine to file your 2023 taxes now even with a pending 2022 amendment. They're treated as separate transactions in the IRS system. I did this last year with no issues.
0 coins
Dallas Villalobos
Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! This thread has been a lifesaver. I'm feeling way more confident about tackling this now. Based on what I've read here, I think I'm going to try the e-filing route first since my 2022 return qualifies. If TurboTax keeps giving me issues, I'll check out H&R Block or TaxAct like Ravi suggested. The taxr.ai recommendation from Omar and Chloe sounds really interesting too - having something walk me through exactly what changes with the missing 1099-NEC income would definitely help reduce my stress level. And knowing that Claimyr actually works to get through to the IRS is good backup if I get stuck. One quick question - when you guys e-filed your amendments, did you get immediate confirmation that it was accepted, or does it take a few days? I'm just trying to set my expectations for timing. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their experiences. This community is amazing!
0 coins