# 1040X for a small mistake?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1040x-for-a-small-mistake/169259>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 17, 2003, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1040x-for-a-small-mistake/169259 "2003-04-17T05:44:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![akitaking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@akitaking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akitaking)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1040x-for-a-small-mistake/169259/1 "2003-04-17T05:44:27Z")

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After sending in my tax forms on Tuesday, I realized that I was supposed to subtract only $3000 max for capital losses (on line 13). Idiotically I put my entire loss, which was slightly more. The end result is exactly the same as if I had subtracted only $3000. However, this brain slip did lead to a mistake in the amount owed on my state taxes.

Does this error warrant an ammended return using a form 1040X? Certainly I’m going to have to ammend my state tax return, but I hate to waste federal resources for a _small_ error. I imagine the 1040X is for more serious errors… could anyone advise me on my situation?

Thanks very much.

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**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1040x-for-a-small-mistake/169259/2 "2003-04-17T07:47:31Z")

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Some info.:

[http://www.legal-aid.com/taxes/amending.html](http://www.legal-aid.com/taxes/amending.html)

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**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1040x-for-a-small-mistake/169259/3 "2003-04-17T12:27:33Z")

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The cite provided by **Violet** covers the waterfront pretty nicely. The mistake you made sounds like it falls into the same category as a math error. It’s even _more_ inocuous because it didn’t change your refund amount. When the folks at the IRS get your return, and punch it into their database, their computers will correct the mistake. If I were you, I’d let it slide, as it falls into the “no harm, no foul” category.