How to track an amended return you've already sent in
The IRS processes amended returns slower than original ones, and there is no single tracking number you can use to check status online. Instead, you track it by mail date and the type of form you filed. If you mailed Form 1040-X (the amended return form itself), the IRS typically takes 16 weeks to process it from the date they receive it — not the date you mailed it. The post office delay means you should add another week or two to your mailing date before counting the 16 weeks.
You can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to ask about your specific return, but they will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact amount of tax shown on the amended return. Have your copy of Form 1040-X in front of you when you call. The IRS cannot tell you the status until at least four weeks have passed since they received it.
If you filed your amended return electronically through a tax professional or software, the timeline is the same 16 weeks, but you should have a confirmation receipt showing the date it was accepted. That date is what you count from, not your mailing date.
Key Takeaways
- Amended returns take 16 weeks to process from the date the IRS receives them, which is longer than original returns.
- You cannot check the status online; you must call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and the tax amount from your amended return.
- The IRS will not give you a status update until at least four weeks have passed since they received your return.
- If you mailed your amended return, add one to two weeks to your mailing date to estimate when the IRS actually received it.
- A refund from an amended return is mailed as a check or deposited to the bank account you listed on Form 1040-X; it does not go to the account used for your original return.
What happens after the IRS receives your amended return
Once the IRS receives Form 1040-X, they first verify that you filed an original return for that year. If you did not, they will send you a notice asking you to file the original return first. This can add several weeks to the process.
Next, they check whether your amended return changes the amount of tax you owe or the refund you should receive. If it reduces your refund or increases what you owe, the IRS may hold the return for additional review. This review can take several weeks beyond the standard 16-week timeline.
If your amended return shows you are owed a refund, the IRS will issue it as a check mailed to your address or as a direct deposit to the bank account you wrote on Form 1040-X. This is separate from any refund from your original return. If you listed a different bank account on the amended return than on the original, the refund goes to the account on Form 1040-X.
Why your amended return might take longer than 16 weeks
The IRS prioritizes original returns over amended ones, so during tax season (January through April), amended returns move more slowly. If you filed your amended return during peak season, expect closer to 20 weeks rather than 16.
Amended returns that show you owe additional tax are processed faster than those showing a refund, because the IRS does not have to verify funds before sending money out. If your amended return reduces your refund or increases your tax bill, it should be done in 12 to 14 weeks.
If the IRS finds an error on your amended return — a math mistake, a missing signature, or a form number that does not match your filing status — they will send you a notice by mail. You will have to correct it and send it back, which restarts the 16-week clock. This is why it is important to double-check Form 1040-X before mailing it.
What to do if 16 weeks have passed and you have not heard anything
Once 16 weeks have passed since the IRS received your amended return, call 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, the tax year of the amended return, and the exact tax amount from Form 1040-X ready. The IRS representative can tell you whether the return was received, whether it was processed, and whether a refund was issued.
If the IRS says they received it but have not processed it, ask them to escalate the case. Processing delays beyond 16 weeks are not normal and usually mean the return is stuck in a queue or flagged for review. An escalation request moves it to a supervisor who can investigate.
If the IRS says they never received your amended return, you have two options: file it again by mail with a cover letter explaining that this is a resubmission, or have a tax professional e-file it for you. E-filing is faster and gives you a confirmation receipt showing the exact date the IRS received it.
Amended returns filed through a tax professional or software
If you used tax software or a CPA to file your amended return electronically, the processing time is still 16 weeks, but you should have received a confirmation email or document showing the date the IRS accepted it. That acceptance date is what you count from, not the date you submitted it to the software or professional.
Tax professionals can sometimes check the status of an amended return faster than you can by calling yourself, because they have a business account with the IRS. If you filed through a CPA or tax firm, contact them first before calling the IRS. They may already know the status.
If you filed through software like TurboTax or H&R Block, log into your account and look for a status tracker. Most software platforms show whether the return was accepted, received, and processed. This is faster than calling the IRS.
How to avoid delays on your next amended return
File your amended return as soon as you know you need one, rather than waiting until the end of tax season. Returns filed in January or February are processed faster than those filed in March or April, even though the overall timeline is the same.
Double-check Form 1040-X for math errors, missing signatures, and the correct tax year before you mail or file it. The most common reason amended returns are delayed is because the IRS has to send a notice asking you to fix an error.
If you are amending to claim a refund, use direct deposit instead of a mailed check. Direct deposit refunds are issued faster and you do not have to wait for the mail. Write your bank account number and routing number clearly on Form 1040-X.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my amended return status online?
No. The IRS does not have an online tool to track amended returns the way it does for original returns. You must call 1-800-829-1040 or contact the tax professional who filed it for you. If you filed through software, check your account dashboard — most platforms show status updates.
What if I mailed my amended return but do not know when the IRS received it?
If you mailed it without tracking, assume it took one to two weeks to arrive. Count 16 weeks from that estimated arrival date. If you are past 18 weeks and have not heard anything, call the IRS. For future filings, use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery.
Will my refund go to the same bank account as my original return?
No. The refund from an amended return goes to the bank account you listed on Form 1040-X, not the one from your original return. If you wrote a different account number on the amended form, double-check it is correct before mailing, because the IRS will deposit to whatever account you wrote down.
Do I need to do anything while I wait for my amended return to be processed?
No. Once you have mailed or filed Form 1040-X, there is nothing you need to do except wait. Do not file another amended return for the same tax year unless the IRS sends you a notice asking you to correct something. Filing multiple amended returns for the same year causes delays.
What if the IRS says my amended return shows I owe money instead of a refund?
If you owe, you should pay as soon as possible to avoid interest and penalties. The IRS will send you a bill with payment instructions. You can pay by mail, phone, or online through IRS.gov. Paying before the IRS sends a bill does not speed up processing, but it does stop interest from building up.