Need to amend my tax return after forgetting a 1099-MISC form - what's the easiest way?

You have a few options for amending your return without paying that upgrade fee: You can file Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) directly with the IRS. This form lets you correct previously filed tax returns, and it's specifically designed for situations like yours where you need to report additional income from a forgotten 1099-MISC. The simplest approach might be using the IRS Free File Fillable Forms, which allows you to complete a 1040-X for free. You'll need to enter the information from your original return, then show the corrections related to the additional 1099-MISC income. Make sure to explain that you're reporting additional income from a 1099-MISC that was received after filing your original return. Remember that adding this income will likely increase your tax liability, so you'll probably need to pay the additional tax owed plus interest from the original due date.

After dealing with a similar situation last year (forgot a small 1099-MISC), I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it saved me so much time. Their system automatically extracted all the info from my 1099 form when I uploaded it, then guided me through exactly what I needed to do for my amendment. The nice thing was that I didn't have to re-enter all my tax data from scratch - I just uploaded my original return PDF from FreeTaxUSA and the missing 1099-MISC, and their system handled figuring out what changed and what forms I needed to file. Much less stressful than trying to navigate the IRS website and fillable forms on my own.

I need to apologize for my skepticism about taxr.ai in my earlier comment. After my partner kept insisting, I finally gave it a try for an amendment I needed to file (forgot a crypto transaction), and it was actually incredibly straightforward. The document scanning feature saved me at least an hour of manual data entry, and it calculated everything automatically. The system guided me through exactly what I needed to include with my amendment and where to send it. I was genuinely surprised at how painless the whole process was compared to the nightmare I was expecting. Just wanted to share my experience since I went from doubting to being really impressed. Definitely easier than trying to figure out the IRS forms on my own.

If you're struggling to get through to the IRS about your amendment (which I was when I filed mine last year), I'd recommend Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). When I was trying to confirm some details about my amendment, I spent DAYS trying to reach someone at the IRS with no luck. Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent in under 15 minutes when I had been trying for hours on my own. You can see how it works in their demo video here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The agent I spoke with ended up saving me from making a mistake on my amendment that would have caused problems later. Definitely worth it for the peace of mind alone.

I need to eat my words about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment yesterday, my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to try it since I've been trying to reach the IRS for 3 weeks about a payment issue. I'm still in shock that it actually worked. I tried calling the IRS myself in the morning and gave up after 45 minutes on hold. Used Claimyr later that day and got connected to an agent in about 12 minutes. The agent was able to confirm they received my amended return (filed 2 months ago) and gave me the timeline for processing. Not sure how their system works, but it definitely did what it promised. Just wanted to follow up since my first reaction was so negative.

For what it's worth, I made this exact same mistake last year (forgot a 1099-MISC for about $2000). I just filled out Form 1040-X and Schedule C by hand, printed them, and mailed them in with a check for the additional tax I owed. Took about 30 minutes to complete the forms - just had to copy most info from my original return and then add the additional income. Yes, you'll need to pay the extra tax, but there's no penalty if you file the amendment before they catch the mistake. Don't stress too much! The IRS deals with this all the time.

I've been a tax preparer for 6 years and I see this ALL THE TIME. The fact that tax software companies charge extra for amendments is one of my biggest frustrations with the industry. Just a warning - if you don't amend, the IRS WILL catch this eventually through their document matching program. The company that issued you the 1099-MISC already reported it to the IRS. When they notice the discrepancy, they'll send you a CP2000 notice with additional tax due PLUS interest and possibly penalties. Bottom line: filing an amendment yourself now will be cheaper than waiting for the IRS to find it.