U. S. Business Income Tax Return

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Instructions for
Form 1120-X
(December 2025)

Amended U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return
Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code
unless otherwise noted.

Future Developments
For the latest information about developments affecting
Form 1120-X and its instructions, such as legislation
enacted after they were published, go to IRS.gov/
Form1120X.

General Instructions
Purpose of Form

Use Form 1120-X to:
• Correct a Form 1120 (or Form 1120-A, if applicable) as
originally filed, or as later adjusted by an amended return,
a claim for refund, or an examination; or
• Make certain elections after the prescribed deadline
(see Regulations sections 301.9100-1 through 3) or any
other published guidance or administrative relief.
Do not use Form 1120-X to...

Instead, use...

Apply for a quick refund of
estimated tax

Form 4466, Corporation
Application for Quick Refund of
Overpayment of Estimated Tax.

Obtain a tentative refund of taxes
due to:
• A net operating loss (NOL)
carryback,
• A net capital loss carryback,
• An unused general business
credit carryback, or
• A claim of right adjustment
under section 1341(b)(1).

Form 1139, Corporation
Application for Tentative Refund.
Note: Use Form 1139 only if 1
year or less has passed since the
tax year in which the carryback or
adjustment occurred. Otherwise,
use Form 1120-X.

Request IRS approval for a
change in accounting method.

Form 3115, Application for
Change in Accounting Method.

When To File

File Form 1120-X only after the corporation has filed its
original return. Generally, Form 1120-X must be filed
within 3 years after the date the corporation filed its
original return or within 2 years after the date the
corporation paid the tax (if filing a claim for a refund),
whichever is later. A return filed before the due date is
considered filed on the due date. A Form 1120-X based
on an NOL carryback, a capital loss carryback, or general
business credit carryback generally must be filed within 3
years after the due date (including extensions) of the
return for the tax year of the NOL, capital loss, or unused
Dec 3, 2025

Note: It often takes 3 to 4 months to process Form
1120-X.
Private delivery services (PDSs). Corporations can
use certain PDSs designated by the IRS to meet the
“timely mailing as timely filing” rule for tax returns. See the
Instructions for Form 1120 for more information.

What To Attach

If the corrected amount involves an item of income,
deduction, or credit that must be supported with a
schedule, statement, or form, attach the appropriate
schedule, statement, or form to Form 1120-X. Include the
corporation’s name and employer identification number on
any attachments. See the instructions for the applicable
Form 1120 for the tax year of the claim for a list of forms
that may be required.

Tax Shelters

If the corporation’s return is being amended for a tax year
in which the corporation participated in a “reportable
transaction,” attach Form 8886, Reportable Transaction
Disclosure Statement. If a reportable transaction results in
a loss or credit carried back to a prior tax year, attach
Form 8886 for the carryback years.

Carryback Claims

If Form 1120-X is used as a carryback claim, attach
copies of Form 1120, page 1, and the tax computation
page, for both the year the loss or credit originated and for
the carryback year. Also attach any other forms,
schedules, or statements that are necessary to support
the claim, including a statement that shows all
adjustments required to figure any NOL that was carried
back. At the top of the forms or schedules attached, write
“Copy Only—Do Not Process.”
Carryback of an eligible small business credit
(ESBC). If the corporation is an eligible small business
(as defined in section 38(c)(5)(B)) and is using Form
1120-X to claim a carryback of an unused ESBC, enter
“SBJA 2012” at the top of Form 1120-X. For details and
special rules for an ESBC, see the Instructions for Form
3800.

Instructions for Form 1120-X (12-2025) Catalog Number 95888A
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov

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Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code
unless otherwise noted.

credit. A Form 1120-X based on a bad debt or worthless
security must be filed within 7 years after the due date of
the return for the tax year in which the debt or security
became worthless. See section 6511 for more details and
other special rules.

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Information on Income, Deductions,
Tax Computation, etc.

For information on income, deductions, tax computation,
etc., see the instructions for the tax return for the tax year
being amended.
Deductions for such items as charitable contributions
and the dividends-received deduction may have to be
refigured because of changes made to items of income or
expense.

Where To File

File this form at the applicable Internal Revenue Service
Center where the corporation filed its original return.

Specific Instructions
Tax Year

In the space above the employer identification number,
enter the ending month and year of the calendar or fiscal
year for the tax return being amended.
If the post office does not deliver mail to the street address
and the corporation has a P.O. box, show the box number
instead.

If the corporation receives its mail in care of a third
party (such as an accountant or an attorney), enter on the
street address line “C/O” followed by the third party’s
name and street address or P.O. box.

Question A. Election Under Regulations Section
301.9100
Check the “Yes” box if you are filing this Form 1120-X to
make an election under Regulations section 301.9100.
Identify the election in the entry space.
Otherwise, check the “No” box.

Question B. Election Under Published Guidance
or Administrative Relief

Check the “Yes” box if you are filing this Form 1120-X to
make an election under any other published guidance or
administrative relief. Identify the election in the entry
space.
Otherwise, check the “No” box.

Column (a)

Enter the amounts from the corporation’s return as
originally filed or as it was later amended. If the return was
changed or audited by the IRS, enter the amounts as
adjusted.

Column (b)

Enter the net increase or net decrease for each line being
changed. Use parentheses around all amounts that are
decreases. Explain the increase or decrease in Part II.

Column (c)
Note: Amounts entered on lines 1 through 4 in column (c)
must equal the amounts that would be entered on the
2

Lines 1 and 2. Add the increase in column (b) to the
amount in column (a) or subtract the column (b) decrease
from column (a). Enter the result in column (c). For an item
that did not change, enter the amount from column (a) in
column (c).
Line 4. Figure the new amount of tax using the taxable
income in line 3, column (c). Use Form 1120, Schedule J
of the original return to make the necessary tax
computation.
Line 5e. Enter the amount of tax deposited with Form
7004, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File
Certain Business Income Tax, Information, and Other
Returns.
Line 5g. Include on line 5g any write-in credits or
payments, such as the credit for tax on ozone-depleting
chemicals or backup withholding, or similar items.
Line 8. Enter the amount from the “Overpayment” line of
the original return, even if the corporation chose to credit
all or part of this amount to the next year’s estimated tax.
This amount must be considered in preparing Form
1120-X because any refund due from the original return
will be refunded separately (or credited to estimated tax)
from any additional refund claimed on Form 1120-X. If the
original return was changed by the IRS and the result was
an additional overpayment of tax, also include that amount
on line 8.
Line 10. Tax due. If the corporation has access to U.S.
banking services or electronic payment systems, it should
use direct deposit for any refunds and pay electronically
for any payments, whenever possible. Most businesses
can make tax payments, including estimated tax
payments, federal tax deposits, and paying a balance due
on your return, using Electronic Federal Tax Payment
System (EFTPS), IRS Direct Pay, or your IRS business tax
account. For more information about EFTPS or to enroll in
EFTPS, go to EFTPS.gov.
• For more information about IRS Direct Pay, go to
IRS.gov/Direct Pay.
• For more information about creating and accessing your
IRS business tax account, go to IRS.gov/
BusinessAccount.
• For more information about other payment options, go
to IRS.gov/Pay.
If the corporation does not use electronic funds
transfers, including the EFTPS, enclose a check with this
form and make it payable to the “United States Treasury.”
See IRS.gov/PayByMail for more information.
Line 11. Overpayment. If the corporation is entitled to a
refund larger than the amount claimed on the original
return, line 11 will show only the additional amount of
overpayment. This additional amount will be refunded
separately from the amount claimed on the original return.
The IRS will figure any interest due and include it in the
refund.
Line 12. Enter the amount, if any, to be applied to the
estimated tax for the next tax period. Also, enter that tax
period. No interest will be paid on this amount. The
Instructions for Form 1120-X (Rev. 12-2025)

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Address

applicable lines of the tax return if all adjustments and
corrections were taken into account.

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election to apply part or all of the overpayment to the next
year’s estimated tax is irrevocable.

Who Must Sign

The return must be signed and dated by:
• The president, vice president, treasurer, assistant
treasurer, chief accounting officer; or
• Any other corporate officer (such as tax officer)
authorized to sign.
If a return is filed on behalf of a corporation by a
receiver, trustee, or assignee, the fiduciary must sign the
return, instead of the corporate officer. A return signed by
a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy on behalf of a
corporation must be filed with a copy of the order or
instructions of the court authorizing signing of the return.

See the Instructions for Form 1120 for more
information.

Part II—Explanation of Changes

The IRS needs to know why you are filing Form 1120-X.
See the following examples.
• To correct a mathematical or reporting error.
Simple mistakes like a clerical error, a miscalculated
figure, or omitting income.
• To claim a missed tax deduction or credit. After
filing, a business might discover it overlooked eligible tax
deductions (like operating expenses or depreciation) or
credits, such as the research or development credit or the
employee retention credit. Amending the return allows the
business to claim these missed benefits and potentially
reduce its tax liability that could result in a refund.
• To adjust for an NOL or credit carryback. If a
corporation has a net operating loss or certain unused

Instructions for Form 1120-X (Rev. 12-2025)

Paperwork Reduction Act Notice. We ask for the
information on this form to carry out the Internal Revenue
laws of the United States. You are required to give us the
information. We need it to ensure that you are complying
with these laws and to allow us to figure and collect the
right amount of tax.
You are not required to provide the information
requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB
control number. Books or records relating to a form or its
instructions must be retained as long as their contents
may become material in the administration of any Internal
Revenue law. Generally, tax returns and return information
are confidential, as required by section 6103.
The time needed to complete and file this form will vary
depending on individual circumstances. The estimated
burden for business taxpayers filing this form is approved
under OMB control number 1545-0123 and is included in
the estimates shown in the instructions for their business
income tax return.
If you have comments concerning the accuracy of
these time estimates or suggestions for making this form
simpler, we would be happy to hear from you. You can
send us comments through IRS.gov/FormComments. Or
you can send your comments to the Internal Revenue
Service, Tax Forms and Publications, 1111 Constitution
Ave. NW, IR-6526, Washington, DC 20224. Do not send
the form to this address. Instead, see Where To File,
earlier.

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If an employee of the corporation completes Form
1120-X, the paid preparer’s space should remain blank.
Anyone who prepares Form 1120-X but does not charge
the corporation should not complete that section.
Generally, anyone who is paid to prepare the return must
sign it and fill in the “Paid Preparer Use Only” area.

credits, it may be able to carry them back to a prior tax
year to claim a refund. While a tentative refund claim
(Form 1139) is an option for certain carrybacks, Form
1120-X is used to make this adjustment for prior years.
• To change a previous accounting method or
election. In some cases, a corporation may be permitted
by the IRS to make a specific accounting election on an
amended return after the initial deadline.