Can I fix my return before it is accepted by Federal, or will I have to wait and amend it? I put the wrong amount of COVID stimulus received when filing my tax returns.

[b124]

I received my second stimulus check in the mail after filing on turbo tax, and a W2 for about a month worth of unemployment I forgot about. I'd love to change my returns now, rather than have to file an amendment.

[CatinaT1 · Accepted solution]

If you filed, it is like dropping it into a mailbox - you cannot get it back, even if it's pending.

You'll have to wait until your return is either accepted or rejected when the IRS starts processing returns on February 12.

• If rejected, you can make any necessary changes regarding your stimulus payments.
• If accepted, you'll need to amend your return. 
• To avoid unnecessary delays, do not amend until your original return has been fully processed.  You will need to print and mail the amendment.  
• Allow 16 weeks for processing.

See this TurboTax FAQ for help with amending.

It is possible the IRS will process your return without rejecting it, in which case if you cash your stimulus check they will know and should automatically adjust your Rebate Recovery Credit, but it's impossible to know for sure at this point though.

[b124]

Thank you for the speedy reply! That helped a ton 🙂

[FlanneryUS]

Thank you for the help. I am dealing with a similar issue, except Turbo Tax Online allowed me to go in and correct my filing, but my Tax Home is showing the original return amount. What do I do in this case? You describe it a dropping off the return at a mailbox, so I guess my situation is me having fished out my return from the mailbox and trying to modify the return. I post more information on my post here. You say that the only resolution is to wait it out, but is there an alternative to that? I, like many others, can't afford to wait an extra 16 weeks. I can barely wait until Mar7 like is the current estimate if I understand the system correctly. Any help to facilitate the resolution of this issue would be greatly appreciated.

[ColeenD3]

Unfortunately, at this time, the IRS does not have a strategy. I don't know if the situation has even hit their radar.

Information is continuing to be updated. Please see this LINK for more information.