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Where’s My Amended Return? How to Track the Status

Back to libraryUnknown authorApr 1, 2026
Where’s My Amended Return? How to Track the Status

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Where’s My Amended Return? How to Track the Status

You can use the IRS' "Where's My Amended Return?" online tool or call the IRS to track the status.

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Andy Rosen is a former NerdWallet writer who covered taxes, cryptocurrency investing and alternative assets. He has more than 15 years of experience as a reporter and editor covering business, government, law enforcement and the intersection between money and ideas. In these roles, Andy has seen cryptocurrency develop from an experimental dark-web technology into an accepted part of the global financial system. He is based in Boston.

Andy Rosen is a former NerdWallet writer who covered taxes, cryptocurrency investing and alternative assets. He has more than 15 years of experience as a reporter and editor covering business, government, law enforcement and the intersection between money and ideas. In these roles, Andy has seen cryptocurrency develop from an experimental dark-web technology into an accepted part of the global financial system. He is based in Boston.

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Pamela de la Fuente is a managing editor of NerdWallet's personal finance content. She leads budgeting, money-making, consumer credit and and debt coverage.

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Previously, she led taxes and retirement coverage at NerdWallet.

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Pamela joined NerdWallet after working at companies including Hallmark Cards, Sprint Corp. and The Kansas City Star. She has been a writer and editor for more than 20 years.

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Pamela is a thought leader in content diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and finds ways to make every piece of content conversational and accessible to all.

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If you’ve filed Form 1040-X to amend a tax return, the IRS offers some online resources to help you keep on top of it.

If you’ve filed Form 1040-X to amend a tax return, the IRS offers some online resources to help you keep on top of it.

But don’t expect results right away: The IRS says it takes up to 16 weeks to process an amended return. The good news is that you can begin to track its status using the IRS’ “Where’s My Amended Return?” tool three weeks after you submit it.

But don’t expect results right away: The IRS says it takes up to 16 weeks to process an amended return. The good news is that you can begin to track its status using the IRS’ “Where’s My Amended Return?” tool three weeks after you submit it.

» MORE: How to find a CPA or tax accountant who can help

» MORE: How to find a CPA or tax accountant who can help » MORE: How to find a CPA or tax accountant who can help

Where's my amended tax return?

Where's my amended tax return?

To track your amended tax return, you can either use the "Where's My Amended Return?" tool or call the amended return hotline at 866-464-2050. Per the IRS, both resources are available in English and Spanish

To track your amended tax return, you can either use the "Where's My Amended Return?" tool or call the amended return hotline at 866-464-2050. Per the IRS, both resources are available in English and Spanish Internal Revenue Service. Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, Frequently Asked Questions. Accessed Dec 18, 2025. .

» Need extra help? See our list of IRS customer service phone numbers

» Need extra help? » Need extra help? See our list of IRS customer service phone numbers

To get a status update, you'll need to provide some basic information to confirm your identity first. Be prepared with the following details when you access the "Where's My Amended Return?" tool or call the IRS:

To get a status update, you'll need to provide some basic information to confirm your identity first. Be prepared with the following details when you access the "Where's My Amended Return?" tool or call the IRS:

Your Social Security number or individual tax ID number.

Your Social Security number or individual tax ID number .

Your date of birth.

Your date of birth.

Your ZIP code.

Your ZIP code.

This information can help you look up any amended returns you have filed for taxes up to three years back. Note that the amended return lookup system is different from the IRS’ online "Where’s My Refund?" service.

This information can help you look up any amended returns you have filed for taxes up to three years back. Note that the amended return lookup system is different from the IRS’ online " Where’s My Refund? " service. Check My Amended Return Status Check My Amended Return Status

Click here to go directly to the IRS' amended return tracker.

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What’s my amended return status? 

What’s my amended return status? 

Once you’ve located your return, the IRS will give you a short description of its status. Here’s a brief overview of the three amended return statuses you might receive and what they mean.

Once you’ve located your return, the IRS will give you a short description of its status. Here’s a brief overview of the three amended return statuses you might receive and what they mean.

1. Your amended return is received

1. Your amended return is received

If the IRS tells you it has received your return, the agency has it but has not yet completed its review. As a result, you may have to wait several weeks for processing to be complete. 

If the IRS tells you it has received your return, the agency has it but has not yet completed its review. As a result, you may have to wait several weeks for processing to be complete. 

2. Your amended return is adjusted

2. Your amended return is adjusted

The “adjusted” designation means the IRS has reviewed your amended tax return and adjusted your account accordingly. This adjustment could ​​result in “a refund, balance due or in no tax change,” the IRS says. 

The “adjusted” designation means the IRS has reviewed your amended tax return and adjusted your account accordingly. This adjustment could ​​result in “a refund, balance due or in no tax change,” the IRS says. 

3. Your amended return is completed

3. Your amended return is completed

When your amended return is completed, the agency is finished with its review of the documents you’ve submitted. "You will receive all the information connected to its processing by mail,” the IRS says. 

When your amended return is completed, the agency is finished with its review of the documents you’ve submitted. "You will receive all the information connected to its processing by mail,” the IRS says. 

Where's my amended refund?

Where's my amended refund?

If you filed an amended return that will result in a refund, note that the "Where's My Refund?" tool does not provide updates about amended return refund timing or processing. According to the IRS, the "Where's My Amended Return?" tool remains the best resource for up-to-date information on the status of your Form 1040-X.

If you filed an amended return that will result in a refund, note that the "Where's My Refund?" tool does not provide updates about amended return refund timing or processing. According to the IRS, the "Where's My Amended Return?" tool remains the best resource for up-to-date information on the status of your Form 1040-X.

Why is my amended return taking so long?

Why is my amended return taking so long?

Sometimes, an issue with your return can slow down the IRS' review process. Here are a few possible factors that can cause delays, according to the IRS:

Sometimes, an issue with your return can slow down the IRS' review process. Here are a few possible factors that can cause delays, according to the IRS:

Your amended return has mistakes, is incomplete or hasn’t been signed.

Your amended return has mistakes, is incomplete or hasn’t been signed.

The IRS may have sent your return back to you, asking for more information. 

The IRS may have sent your return back to you, asking for more information. 

Your amended return includes Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation.

Your amended return includes Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation.

There’s an issue with identity theft or fraud related to your amended return. 

There’s an issue with identity theft or fraud related to your amended return. 

The IRS says other issues can slow your return. For instance, if it needs review by a specialized area of the IRS, such as the bankruptcy section, that can take longer. The agency will contact you if it requires more information.

The IRS says other issues can slow your return. For instance, if it needs review by a specialized area of the IRS, such as the bankruptcy section, that can take longer. The agency will contact you if it requires more information.

» MORE: See if you need to pay estimated quarterly taxes

» MORE: See if you need to pay estimated quarterly taxes » MORE: See if you need to pay estimated quarterly taxes AD Get reliable back tax relief with our team of A+ rated tax professionals Trusted & Top-Rated Nationwide — 4.9★ Google rating. Learn more

on Priority Tax Relief's website

AD Owe $10,000+ in IRS Back Taxes? Get Trusted Tax Help Today BBB Accredited, $500M+ tax debt resolved, free consultation. Learn more

on Alleviate Tax's website

What if I can’t find my amended tax return status? 

What if I can’t find my amended tax return status? 

A handful of reasons could prevent you from being able to look up your status on the “Where’s My Amended Return?” tool. Here are some possible explanations, according to the IRS:

A handful of reasons could prevent you from being able to look up your status on the “Where’s My Amended Return?” tool. Here are some possible explanations, according to the IRS:

Your amended return is for business taxes.

Your amended return is for business taxes.

Your amended return involves carryback applications and claims. 

Your amended return involves carryback applications and claims. 

Your amended return has a foreign address.

Your amended return has a foreign address.

When is "Where's My Amended Return?" available?

When is "Where's My Amended Return?" available?

The IRS' "Where's My Amended Return?" tool is available at all times except:

The IRS' "Where's My Amended Return?" tool is available at all times except:

Mondays from midnight to 3 a.m. ET.

Mondays from midnight to 3 a.m. ET.

Some Sundays from 1 to 7 a.m. ET

Some Sundays from 1 to 7 a.m. ET Internal Revenue Service. Where's My Amended Return?. Accessed Dec 18, 2025. .

» MORE: Best places to get free or cheap financial advice

» MORE: Best places to get free or cheap financial advice » MORE: Best places to get free or cheap financial advice Frequently asked questions

According to the IRS, amended returns filed electronically or by paper have an estimated processing time of up to 16 weeks.

According to the IRS, amended returns filed electronically or by paper have an estimated processing time of up to 16 weeks.

The "Where's My Amended Return?" tool will begin to display a status update approximately three weeks after the submission of an amended tax return. Taxpayers can also call the IRS' toll-free amended return hotline at 866-464-2050 to check on the status of an amended return three weeks post-filing.

The "Where's My Amended Return?" tool will begin to display a status update approximately three weeks after the submission of an amended tax return. Taxpayers can also call the IRS' toll-free amended return hotline at 866-464-2050 to check on the status of an amended return three weeks post-filing.

According to the IRS, amended returns filed electronically or by paper have an estimated processing time of up to 16 weeks.

The "Where's My Amended Return?" tool will begin to display a status update approximately three weeks after the submission of an amended tax return. Taxpayers can also call the IRS' toll-free amended return hotline at 866-464-2050 to check on the status of an amended return three weeks post-filing.

NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines. Internal Revenue Service. Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, Frequently Asked Questions. Accessed Dec 18, 2025. Internal Revenue Service. Where's My Amended Return?. Accessed Dec 18, 2025. About the author Andy Rosen Andy Rosen Andy Rosen is a former NerdWallet writer focused on cryptocurrency and alternative investments. He has more than 15 years of journalism experience as a reporter and editor at organizations including The Boston Globe and The Baltimore Sun. See full bio.

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