Realized I forgot to add a W2 to my already accepted tax return - what now?

Hi all, I'm in a bit of a panic here. I filed my taxes through TurboTax about 3 weeks ago and just today found a W2 from a part-time job I completely forgot about! The problem is my return was already accepted by the IRS and I've already gotten my state refund deposited. My federal refund is supposed to arrive any day now. I know I messed up, but what's the right way to handle this? Do I need to file an amended return using Form 1040X? Or should I just wait to see if the IRS notices and contacts me about it? If I do need to file a 1040X, what's the easiest way to do it? TurboTax charges an extra fee for amendments which feels like robbery. Can I e-file an amendment through a different tax program or am I stuck mailing in a paper form? I looked at the 1040X and honestly it seems really complicated. Really appreciate any guidance here! This is stressing me out.

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18 comments

Natasha Petrova

•8M

You'll definitely need to file an amended return using Form 1040X to report the additional W2 income. Don't wait for the IRS to contact you - it's always better to correct the mistake yourself rather than having them discover it later, which could lead to penalties and interest charges on any additional tax you might owe. As for how to file the 1040X, unfortunately, your options are somewhat limited. While some tax preparation software supports e-filing amendments, many still require you to mail in a paper form. The IRS has been expanding e-filing options for 1040X forms, but availability depends on which tax year you're amending. You don't necessarily need to use the same software you used for your original return. You could use another program like FreeTaxUSA or H&R Block, which might offer free or lower-cost amendment services. Just make sure you have a copy of your original return handy, as you'll need information from it to complete the amendment.

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Natasha Petrova

•8M

You should still file an amendment even for small amounts. The IRS receives a copy of all W2s issued to you, so they'll have record of that income regardless of the amount. Their automated matching system will eventually flag the discrepancy. While there's no specific minimum threshold that guarantees the IRS won't take action, the principle remains that all income should be reported. Additionally, correcting it now is much easier than dealing with a notice later, which might include penalties and interest on any tax difference.

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Emma Davis

•8M

After getting totally frustrated trying to figure out my amended return situation last year, I stumbled across this AI tax help tool called taxr.ai and it was seriously a game-changer. I had a similar situation where I forgot a 1099 and was freaking out about having to amend everything. I uploaded my original return and the missing document to https://taxr.ai and it analyzed everything, explained exactly what I needed to do, and even pre-filled a lot of the 1040X information for me based on my specific situation. The step-by-step guidance made the whole process way less intimidating. It helped me understand which line items would change on my return because of the added income and how it would affect my tax liability. Might be worth checking out if you're feeling overwhelmed by the amendment process.

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Emma Davis

•8M

It doesn't file the return for you - it's more of a guidance tool that helps you understand exactly what needs to be changed on your amendment and why. It gives you a completed form that you can then submit yourself, either by mail or through another e-filing service that accepts amendments. The pricing is based on what features you use, but basic amendment guidance is pretty affordable compared to paying a tax professional. I think I paid around $30 for my situation, which was way less than what my local tax place quoted me. They're upfront about the cost before you commit to anything.

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Malik Robinson

•8M

Just wanted to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai after trying it for my forgotten W2 situation. I was really surprised at how straightforward it made the whole amendment process! I uploaded my original return and the missing W2, and it immediately showed me exactly what would change on my tax return and how much additional tax I would owe. The step-by-step instructions for filling out the 1040X were super helpful - it basically held my hand through the whole process and explained everything in simple terms. It even flagged that my student loan interest deduction would change slightly because of the additional income, which I never would have caught on my own. I printed the completed forms it generated and mailed them in last week. Definitely saved me from making mistakes or paying someone $150+ to do it for me!

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Isabella Silva

•8M

If you're having trouble getting answers from the IRS about your amendment status (which is super likely since their phone lines are impossible), I recommend using Claimyr. I was in amendment hell last year after messing up my return, and couldn't get through to anyone at the IRS for weeks. A friend recommended https://claimyr.com and showed me this demo video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. Basically, they get you through the IRS phone tree and wait on hold for you, then call you once an actual human agent is on the line. Saved me literally hours of hold time. I had questions about how to properly document my amended return and needed to confirm some details about my original filing. Got connected to an IRS agent in about 45 minutes when I had previously spent entire afternoons on hold without ever reaching anyone.

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Isabella Silva

•8M

They don't have special access - they use technology to navigate the phone system and wait on hold for you. It works because they have multiple lines dedicated to calling the IRS, and they've optimized the process of navigating the phone tree. When they reach a human agent, they conference you in. It's definitely not sketchy - they're just solving a real problem with a clever solution. They don't ask for any personal tax information and you're the one who actually speaks with the IRS agent. They just handle the frustrating part of waiting on hold so you don't have to waste hours of your day.

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Freya Andersen

•8M

I need to apologize for my skepticism about Claimyr. After my previous comment, I was desperate enough to try it since I couldn't get any answers about my amended return. I was absolutely shocked when I got a call back saying an IRS agent was on the line! The whole process was exactly as described. I entered my number on their website, they called me to confirm what I needed help with, and then about an hour later (while I was cooking dinner, not sitting by the phone), they called to connect me with an actual IRS representative. The agent helped me understand exactly what documentation I needed to include with my amended return and gave me a direct fax number to send additional information. Would have taken me days or weeks to get this info on my own if I ever managed to get through at all. Totally worth it for the peace of mind alone.

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Omar Farouk

•8M

One thing nobody's mentioned yet - make sure you wait until your ORIGINAL return is fully processed before filing the amendment. If you try to file the 1040X while your original return is still being processed, it can cause all kinds of problems in the system. Since you mentioned your federal refund isn't in your account yet, that means your return is still in process. Wait until you get that refund, then file the amendment. The IRS even recommends this on their website.

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