I forgot to put down how much i was getting from unemployment on my tax return but I put I was getting unemployment but just didnt put how much. do i need to amend this?

[JohnB5677]

Yes, with some conditions.  Unemployment is taxable and it should be included on your tax return, but there is a twist here.  Congress has authorized that the first $10,200 of unemployment is not taxable.

You should have received a 1099-g for the unemployment that you got.  If its less than  $10,200 you should wait.  The IRS will issue guidance about what to do if you already filed.  Making part of your unemployment tax-free would increase your refund or reduce your tax. Wait until the IRS has issued the instructions before you do anything.

If it is more than $10,200 you should amend your return

 You can correct a return that you've already filed and had accepted.  Select the year that applies and use this guide to proceed.

Select your tax year for amending instructions: 2020

For additional information please refer to  How to Amend

​​​​​​​The 1040X (Amended Return) tax form for 2020 is scheduled to be available 03/25/2021.

[kyledante419]

Ok so it was less than $10,200 , so I wouldn't have to amend it right?

[AnnetteB6]

That is not necessarily true.  If you had any Federal taxes withheld from the unemployment, then you would definitely want to amend your return to include the income and withholdings because the amount withheld should add to your refund. 

You may also want to amend your return so that everything has been reported to the IRS as it should have been even if the income will not be taxable.  In the eyes of the IRS, you received income that has not been reported on your return.  That can be a bad thing that may generate a letter from the IRS in the future.  

That being said, given the recent changes in the tax law, wait a while before you amend your return.  There is no rush because you have up to three years to amend a return you have already filed.  Plus, it is better to wait right now because the IRS has not issued its final guidance about how to handle the recent changes and whether amended returns will be required in that situation.  Let things settle down first and then amend your return to include the income that was not originally reported.  

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@kyledante419