I filed with Turbo Tax and I got an unexpected refund check from the IRS?

[pancake1234]

I received a refund check which is way higher than what turbo tax said it was. I shouldn't have gotten a refund check at all.  

I checked my personal transcript for 2017 and the AGI is showing higher by about $10k than what I filed Turbo Tax with.

Whats going on here? Turbo tax error? Identity theft?

I am returning the check but need to know what happened.

[SweetieJean]

The IRS will be sending you a letter about this. Wait for it.

[pancake1234]

Its been 3 weeks since I received the check. How long does the letter take? I spoke to 2 IRS reps and they are unable to tell me what is causing the discrepancy, only that it exists.

It says W2 or 1099 withholdings change code 806 on the transcript. I had no change and I did a paper amendment only to change the exemption number and nothing else at all.

Is it possible someone got a hold of the outgoing amendment in the mail and altered it?

[SweetieJean]

Code 806:
Credits the amount of withholding taxes and excess FICA claimed on a Form 1040 return.
The IRS made this change, perhaps due to a data entry error on your part. Did you forget to claim a W-2 for $10,000. maybe? Get a Wage and Income Transcript.

[pancake1234]

There's no other source of W2 or 1099, I even contacted a previous employer I didn't receive any other income.

The Wage & Income Transcript is also not showing any additional income. So my feeling is someone intercepted my paper amendment I sent to adjust my exemption and filed a fraudulent amendment. I don't understand why I received the check at my house if this was a scheme to pick up the check.

[VolvoGirl]

10,000 difference could be a missing decimal point or typed in the wrong place.

Why did you mention amendment?  Do you mail in an amended 1040X return?  

[SweetieJean]

"I had no change and I did a paper amendment only to change the exemption number and nothing else at all."

[VolvoGirl]

Oh I missed that.   Changing the number of exemptions on your return can make a big change.

[SweetieJean]

I thought OP meant ACA coverage exemption!

[VolvoGirl]

Guess we don’t know.  @pancake1234 what did you amend for?  What exemption number?

[Whosnot]

I understand if I don't return the check in 21 days I will penalized and charged interest. How long should I wait for the letter of explanation from the IRS. Has the virus changed the time to reply