Prior-year and amended returns: what to know

Which situation applies to you

An unfiled prior-year return is a return for an earlier tax year that was never submitted. An amended return corrects or changes a return you already filed for that year.

The two follow different processes and rely on different records, so working out which one applies to you is the first step.

Keep the return you originally filed

If you have already filed, the version you originally submitted — with its schedules — is central to any correction, because an amendment is expressed relative to what you reported before.

Documents to collect

• Corrected statements you received after your original filing
• Documents that were unavailable or overlooked at the time
• Any correspondence you received about the year concerned

Before requesting an amended return

How far back the year is, what records you still have and the nature of the change all affect whether and how the work can be done. Older years often involve records that are harder to obtain, so it helps to check what you can still access first.

How Clear1040 responds to these requests

Clear1040 will assess whether we can help with your prior-year or amended filing only after reviewing your circumstances. Please do not assume in advance that a particular year can be taken on.