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Can I Refile My Taxes?

Reviewed by Keith Michon, CPA October 2026

Short answer

You can’t refile, or send a second copy of, a federal tax return you’ve already filed. To fix a mistake, you file an amended return (a corrected version of your original return) using Form 1040-X. The IRS says you may need to amend if your filing status, income, deductions, credits, dependents, or tax liability changed. Your tax liability is the total tax you owe for the year.

See details

When to Amend Instead of Refiling Your Taxes

Whether you amend depends on what went wrong. Some errors require your correction, while others the IRS handles on its own.

SituationDo you need to amend?
Your filing status changedYes
Your income changedYes
Your deductions or credits changedYes
You need to add or remove a dependentYes
Your tax liability changedYes
The IRS tells you it corrected errors on your returnNo
The IRS accepted your return without certain forms or schedules, or asked you to send themNo

Note: A CP2000 is an IRS notice proposing changes when the income you reported doesn’t match its records. If the CP2000 is correct, you typically don’t need to amend. Learn more in what is an IRS notice CP2000.

Deadlines for Filing an Amended Return

If you’re amending to claim a refund, you’re on a clock. Generally, you have 3 years from the date you filed your original return or 2 years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later (IRS). If you filed early, count from the April tax deadline.

You may get more time if any of these apply to you:

  • You were affected by a federally declared disaster
  • You served in a combat zone
  • You have a bad debt or worthless security
  • You’re claiming a foreign tax credit
  • You have a loss or credit carryback

If the correction means you owe more, file the amended return and pay by the April due date to avoid penalties and interest. Filing after that date? Don’t add interest or penalties yourself, because the IRS adjusts them automatically.

How to Amend Your Taxes With Form 1040-X

Once you know you need to amend, the IRS process looks like this:

  1. Have your original return on hand. If you can’t find it, see how to get a prior-year tax return.
  2. Complete Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. You can use tax software to e-file it.
  3. Attach supporting documents and any new or changed forms and schedules.
  4. Choose how to get any refund. An e-filed 1040-X lets you request direct deposit, while a paper 1040-X gets you a paper check.

You can file up to 3 amended returns for the same tax year.

When You Have to Amend on Paper

Some amended returns can’t be e-filed. You must file on paper if the return is for tax year 2021 or earlier. You also need to use paper if you filed the original on paper earlier in the current year for a prior tax year.

Processing Time and Tracking Your Amended Return

Expect to wait a while for an answer. The IRS says to allow 8 to 12 weeks for processing, and in some cases up to 16 weeks.

You can check your status with the IRS Where’s My Amended Return? tool starting 3 weeks after you submit Form 1040-X. It covers the current year and 3 prior years. You’ll need your Social Security number, date of birth, and ZIP code to look up your return.

Amending Your State Tax Return

A change to your federal return may also change your state tax liability, so contact your state tax agency to find out what it requires. Don’t attach your state return to your federal amended return. For more on how the two returns relate, see can I file federal and state taxes separately.

Sources

What is an IRS Notice CP2000, and how do you respond? How do I get a prior-year tax return? Can I file federal and state taxes separately? How Long Does an Amended Return Take? Where's My Amended Return? How to Check Your Status with the IRS How far back can you file taxes?