What must taxpayers do after filing an amended return to correct a mistake?

After filing an amended tax return, it is essential for taxpayers to notify the IRS of the amendment. This action ensures that the IRS is updated with the most recent information regarding the taxpayer’s financial situation and tax liability. Filing an amended return typically indicates that there were changes to the initial filing that could affect the overall tax position, and communicating this to the IRS helps facilitate a smoother processing of the return.

Waiting for the IRS to respond does not provide any assurance that the amendment is acknowledged or that any outstanding issues stemming from the original return are addressed. Although taxpayers should indeed await correspondence from the IRS about their amended return, they must also ensure that they have formally notified the agency of the amendments made.

A formal appeal is not necessary unless the IRS issues a decision that the taxpayer disagrees with after the amendment is processed. Paying any additional taxes owed immediately is a prudent action if the amended return reflects a higher tax liability, but it is not a required step after merely filing the amended return. The key action remains informing the IRS about the amendment to ensure all relevant changes are taken into account.