What if I need to amend a filed return?

If you need to amend a previously filed return — whether it was filed by Zenith or another preparer — we can prepare and file an amended return (Form 1040-X) on your behalf. Common reasons for amendments include: receiving a corrected income document after filing, discovering a missed deduction or credit, changing your FEIE/FTC strategy, adding missing international information returns, and correcting errors from a previous preparer.

The amendment process involves filing Form 1040-X, which shows the original figures, the corrected figures, and an explanation of each change. Amendments for the most recent 3 tax years can generally be e-filed; older amendments must be mailed. The IRS typically processes amendments in 8-16 weeks.

You generally have 3 years from the original filing date (or 2 years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later) to file an amended return claiming a refund. There is no time limit on filing an amendment that results in additional tax owed, though penalties and interest will apply.

For international information returns specifically, the rules are different. If you failed to file Form 5471, 8865, 3520, or other international forms, the statute of limitations on your entire return may remain open indefinitely until those forms are filed. This means the IRS can assess additional tax for any year where required international forms were not filed, regardless of how long ago the return was filed.

If we prepared your original return and the amendment is needed due to an error on our part, we amend at no additional cost. For amendments resulting from new information or client-initiated changes, or for returns originally prepared by another firm, standard amendment fees apply.

We also handle situations where an amendment triggers the need to update FBAR or Form 8938 filings, ensuring all your reporting remains consistent and complete.