Here’s What Happens If You File Your Taxes Wrong in 2026 — and How To Fix It

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We all make mistakes, even when filing taxes. In this case, your return may be rejected immediately, or the IRS may send you a letter notifying you of your mistake and how to fix it. However, you could also be subject to penalties and interest in some cases.

Worried about filing taxes wrong in 2026? Here’s what happens and how to fix it.

Also see five money hacks to make doing your taxes easier.

What Happens If You File Your Taxes Wrong

According to the IRS, there were more than 2 million math errors on individual income tax returns in fiscal year 2024. Some mistakes are minor, like a simple addition or subtraction error, while others can lead to delays, penalties or additional scrutiny.

Here are some common outcomes:

• Rejected return: If you file electronically with an incorrect Social Security number or mismatched income information, the IRS may automatically reject your return. A rejected return is not considered filed until the error is corrected and the return is resubmitted.
• The IRS finds and corrects the error for you: According to the IRS, the agency often finds and corrects errors during processing. If this correction changes your refund amount or tax balance, you’ll receive a notice explaining the adjustment.
• Delayed refund: Errors can slow down processing. This may delay your refund’s arrival.
• You receive an IRS notice or letter: If the IRS needs more information or detects missing or inconsistent details, it’ll send a letter explaining the issue and any action required from you.
• You owe penalties and interest: If you file late, you could be charged a late-filing penalty of up to 5% of the unpaid tax per month, per IRS guidelines. If you underpay, you could be charged a penalty, plus interest on the penalty.
• IRS audit: Most errors do not result in an audit, but larger discrepancies, such as missing income or repeated issues, may increase the chances. The odds of an IRS audit are low, and Mowery & Schoenfeld pointed out that self-employed taxpayers and high-net-worth individuals are more likely to be targeted due to complex income sources, larger deductions and unique financial structures.

How To Fix It

If you find a mistake on your tax return, there are steps you can take to fix it.

Here’s what you should do.

• Review IRS corrections: If your return was rejected, correct the issue identified by your tax software and resubmit it as soon as possible.
• Fix and resubmit a rejected return: If the IRS fixes a simple error for you, review the notice you receive. If you agree with the correction, no further action is required. If you don’t agree, the IRS said you can request an appeal by filing a written protest.
• File an amended return if necessary: If your return was accepted and processed but contains incorrect income, deductions, credits, dependents or filing status, you’ll likely need to file an amended return by using Form 1040-X. If you’re unsure, this interview can help you decide whether you should.
• Respond to IRS notices: If you receive a letter requesting information or documentation, respond by the deadline listed.
• Pay additional tax due: If correcting the error means you owe more tax, pay as soon as possible to help limit penalties and interest. Payment plans may be available if you can’t pay in full.
• Consult an expert: If the mistake is complicated or you’re unsure how to fix it, a tax professional can help guide you through the process.

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