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Level 4
April 27, 2026
Question

Amended federal tax return but forgot to sign

  • April 27, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 122 views

I had to amend my last few years of federal taxes due to incorrect filing of form 8606.  The different is income is very minimal (less than $10 for 2 years, and no change in income for one year). Consequently, the difference in tax owed is less also very less ($1 or $2 depending on the year) and I mailed the returns with separate checks for each year.

 

All is good. Just that I forgot to sign the 1040X. I double checked each line to make sure the numbers I entered and calculated are correct and I simply printed and mailed the returns (signed on the checks though). 

 

Would IRS reject the amendment? if so, do they send back my filed amendments or simply send a notice that they did not accept my return? Should I be worried given the tax owed is very minimal?

3 replies

SharonD007
Level 14
April 27, 2026

If you didn't sign your amended return (Form 1040-X), the IRS will treat it as invalid, causing significant processing delays or rejection. The IRS will generally mail the return back to you for a signature, pausing the amendment process and potentially delaying any expected refund.

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Mike9241
Level 15
Level 15
April 27, 2026

since you mailed those returns, it could be 2-3 months before you get the returns back for signature or a form to sign in lieu of signing the actual return 

 

Mike9241
rjs
Level 15
Level 15
April 27, 2026

Did you mail all of the amended returns in one envelope? If so, be alert for the possibility that the IRS might not see or process all of them. Their procedures generally expect only one return in an envelope. They might process only the one that's on top. This could happen even though you sent separate checks, because the checks are separated from the returns before any processing is done.

 

taxtattooAuthor
Level 4
April 27, 2026

 @Mike9241 @rjs @SharonD007 

 

Yes, I sent all amendments in one envelope twith the 2025 return being on the top. I attached separate checks but bummer I did not sign any of the 1040x amendments. Got so used to e-filing that I forgot that signing the form is a thing.

 

Do I get all amendments returned back to me? If the checks are separated, does IRS cash the check even if the return was not processed? Since it is a small amount, I am not worried about the amount, but just make sure the returns are processed?

 

Should I mail the amendments again with the signature, or wait to receive the amendments back from the IRS?

 

Thank you so much.

rjs
Level 15
Level 15
April 27, 2026

@taxtattoo 

 

I think they cash the checks before they even look at the returns.


I would just wait until you hear from the IRS. Mailing duplicate returns will cause confusion and possible delays.


Keep in mind that it takes the IRS 4 months or more to process an amended return, so it will probably be a while before you hear anything.


You can try using Where's My Amended Return? on the IRS website to check the status, starting about 3 weeks after you mailed it.