Where/what exactly do I sign, and what do I include in my amended return?

[kirbdawg52]

I've got my 2017 1040X ready but a bunch of stuff printed out with it so I am not sure exactly what to sign and what to include in the envelope I'll be sending to the IRS, and the TurboTax instructions are not explicitly clear on this.

Here's what printed out:

1) 2-Page 1040X form, signature line at bottom of second page.

2) Entire 2017 1040 form, signature line at bottom of second page.

3) After the 2017 1040 form, there are two pages of additional information that mention 1040X.

Questions:

1) Which forms do I sign and include in what I am actually mailing to the IRS?

2) Which of these 3 items listed above do I include in the mail to the IRS?

Thank you so much! 

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

You sign and date the Form 1040-X on page 2.

You do not include the Form 1040 nor any informational forms with the amended return.

You would only include with the Form 1040-X other forms that were changed due to amending your original tax return.  If any other Forms or Schedules were included with your print out they will have an Attachment Sequence Number located in the upper right corner of the Form or Schedule.  

If no no other Forms or Schedules were printed, then you only file the Form 1040-X.

[kirbdawg52]

Thank you, that is so helpful.

Why do they include the old 2017 Form 1040 in the printout? That's confusing, they should say to not include that.

So my next question then:

On my 2018 Form 1040X mailing, which I mailed in last week, I accidentally mailed everything including the 2018 Form 1040. Do you think that will cause any problem?

[DoninGA]

@kirbdawg52 Should not be a problem.  The IRS sees amended returns all the time with unnecessary forms included.

Just be aware that the processing for the amended return will take quite awhile.  Normally the IRS processes an amended return in 4 months or less.  But due to the pandemic and limited staffing the processing of paper returns will take much longer this year.

You can check the status of your amended return from time to time on this IRS website - https://www.irs.gov/filing/wheres-my-amended-return

[kirbdawg52]

Thank you so much @don that is super helpful information!