You're amending and haven't received your refund from the original filing yet? Bad move that has the potential to come back and bite you.
If you're already e-filed and accepted return was sent with a direct deposit request, there is no way to change that. Also, if any additional refund is due on an amended return, you will get a paper check for that. The IRS will not do anything other than a paper check for an amended return that will result in you getting money back.
If you have already E-filed your tax return and need to make
a change for any reason, then you have no choice but to wait until the IRS processes
your E-filed return. If the IRS rejects your E-filed return, then you can just
make the necessary changes and resubmit it.
If the IRS accepts your E-filed return, then you must WAIT
until the IRS has processed your return. If you have a refund due your return
is not processed until you have received your refund. If you owe taxes, your
refund is not processed until you have paid those taxes and your payment has
cleared your financial institution. Once processing is complete, you will need
to file an amended return. You cannot e-file an amended return. The IRS says
you can’t. You have to print it, sign it (both the 1040 and 1040X) and mail it
to the IRS.
If your E-Filed return is pending, and you change anything
on your copy of your return, then you are guaranteed
to have major issues with correcting
or amending it later. So for your own sanity, do not touch anything until it’s
time, as clarified above.
An amended return must be printed, signed and mailed. The
IRS says so.
If my return is accepted, why do I
have to wait for my refund before I can amend it?
Just because the IRS has accepted your return, does not mean
that they agree with it. Sometimes, the IRS will “catch” your error (or some
other error you don’t know about) and go ahead and correct it for you. You’ll
know that when your refund is not what you expected. So you have to wait for the refund. If that happens to you, then you will receive
a letter 3-4 weeks after you receive your refund, explaining what was changed,
why it was changed, and with instructions on what actions to take if your
dispute the change. If
you receive such a letter and agree with the changes the IRS made, post in this
forum with the details (without
including personal information) and we'll try to help you get your copy
of the return in agreement with the IRS changes, so you won't have issues
importing next year.
