Need to Amend Tax Return with Changed Address - Should I Use New or Old Address on 1040-X?

Always use your current address on the 1040-X amended return. The IRS needs to know where to contact you now, not where you used to live. This is actually one of the most common questions people have about amended returns! When you file the 1040-X with your new address, it automatically updates your address in the IRS system, so you don't need to separately file a change of address form (though you can if you want to be extra thorough using Form 8822). Just make sure you're clear about what you're amending on the 1040-X. The address change itself isn't a reason to amend - you're fixing whatever other error prompted the amendment, and the address update happens alongside it.

I had almost this exact problem last year and was super confused by all the conflicting advice online. I found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that helped me figure out the whole amended return process. It basically analyzed my situation and gave me specific guidance for my case. For the address change specifically, they confirmed I should use my new address on the 1040-X and explained exactly how to fill out each section. The system even pointed out a few other deductions I missed on my original return that I was able to claim on the amendment. Ended up getting an extra $742 back that I would have completely missed!

Just wanted to follow up about taxr.ai that I mentioned in an earlier comment. I decided to try it for my education credit amendment and it was actually really helpful! The system found the exact forms I needed and walked me through each line that needed changing on the 1040-X. It even caught that I had calculated my adjusted gross income incorrectly on my original return, which I had no idea about. The step-by-step guidance made the whole process way less intimidating than I expected. Just submitted my amendment yesterday and feeling way more confident that it's done right. Definitely worth checking out if you're nervous about doing an amendment on your own.

If you're having trouble with your amended return or have more questions, you might want to try calling the IRS directly. I know that sounds like a nightmare (and it usually is), but I found this service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) that actually gets you through to a real IRS agent without the hours-long hold times. I was trying to file an amended return after moving states mid-year and kept getting stuck on certain parts of the form. Used Claimyr (check out how it works: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and got connected to an IRS rep in about 20 minutes who walked me through exactly what I needed to do. They confirmed I should use my current address and explained how to fill out each section properly. Saved me literally hours of frustration and guesswork trying to figure it out on my own or waiting on hold forever.

OK I need to eat some humble pie here. After my skeptical comment earlier, I decided to try Claimyr anyway because I was desperate to talk to someone about my own tax amendment. I was SHOCKED when my phone rang 27 minutes later with an actual IRS agent on the line! The agent confirmed I needed to use my current address on the 1040-X form and also helped me understand how to properly report some investments I sold last year (which was the actual reason for my amendment). She even explained which supporting documents I needed to include with my paper return. Honestly can't believe how well it worked after all the IRS phone nightmares I've had in the past. Definitely worth it just for the time saved not sitting on hold.

One thing nobody mentioned - don't forget to fill out Part III of the 1040-X form with a clear explanation of WHY you're amending. Just write something like "Correcting address due to recent move and [whatever other changes you're making]" so they understand the reason for the amendment. Also make sure you sign and date the return! Sounds obvious but it's a super common oversight that causes the IRS to reject amended returns.

Is it better to e-file an amended return or mail it in? I've heard mixed things about whether 1040-X can be filed electronically.

Just went through this exact same situation a few months ago! Definitely use your current address on the 1040-X - that's what the IRS needs to process your amendment and send any correspondence or refunds. One tip that helped me: if you're mailing in the amendment (which you'll need to do if your original return was paper-filed), I'd recommend sending it certified mail so you have proof it was delivered. The IRS has been pretty slow processing paper amendments lately - mine took about 14 weeks to get processed. Also, even though filing the 1040-X with your new address updates their system, I still filled out Form 8822 (Change of Address) separately just to be extra safe. It's a simple one-page form and gives you peace of mind that they definitely have your current info on file. Good luck with your amendment!

Great question! I actually went through this same situation last year when I had to amend my return after moving. You should definitely use your NEW current address on the 1040-X form. The IRS needs to know where to reach you now, not where you used to live. When you file the amended return with your updated address, it automatically updates your address in their system, so you won't need to file a separate change of address form (though some people do it anyway for extra peace of mind). Just make sure you're clear in Part III about what you're actually amending - the address change itself isn't typically a reason to amend unless there are other errors you're fixing. The IRS will process the address update along with whatever other corrections you're making. One heads up - if you're mailing in a paper 1040-X, processing times have been pretty slow lately (12-20 weeks), so be patient. But using your current address ensures any correspondence or refund checks come to the right place!

Just to add another perspective - I've been through this situation twice now (moved a lot for work). Always use your current address on the 1040-X, but here's something that might help: if you're worried about timing or want to be extra thorough, you can also call the IRS practitioner priority line if you have a tax professional help you, or use Form 8822 to officially change your address before filing the amendment. One thing I learned the hard way - if you're expecting any other IRS correspondence (like notices from your original return), make sure you set up mail forwarding with USPS from your old address. The IRS systems don't always update immediately across all departments, so you might still get some mail sent to your old address even after filing the 1040-X with your new one. Also, keep copies of everything! With the longer processing times for paper amendments, having your own records makes it much easier to track what's happening if you need to follow up later.