How do I change our joint return for only receiving a single second stimulus check? We are already claiming a refund for 1st.

[steinberg74]

we did not file the 2020 return yet

[xmasbaby0]

The stimulus check is an advance on a credit you can receive on your 2020 tax return.  If something went wrong or you did not get the stimulus check this year, you can get it when you file your 2020 return in early 2021—if you are eligible.It will end up on line 30 of your 2020 Form 1040.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payment-information-center-topic-j-reconciling-on-your-...

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments-for-individuals-...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/how-will-the-stimulus-package-impact-me/00/1393859

We know that the IRS is already revising the 2020 Form 1040 to include the 2nd stimulus, but that change will entail a lot of re-programing at the IRS and for the tax software programs.  It may be at least a month — or longer— before the forms are changed.  Do NOT be in a hurry to file your 2020 tax return until more is known. Give some extra time to the IRS and the software programmers so that the software can handle the new 2nd stimulus, so that you can get it all by filing ONE time. You will need to visit the recovery rebate section AFTER the form and software revisions are complete in order to do this correctly. It is never a good idea to file too early; filing your 2020 return too soon may result in a lot of extra confusion that can be avoided if you wait and file a little later.

[steinberg74]

Our 2020 return with Turbotax is already prepared, but not filed. We are married/filing jointly and received a single stimulus check # 1 for $1200 in 2020. On January 6 2021 the second single stimulus check was issued. Therefore, we are requesting an $1800 total refund for missing stimulus check # 1 and missing stimulus check # 2. Turbotax software right now only supports the first stimulus check we didn't receive and the return prepared thus far requests a $1200 refund. My question is when will TurboTax's software be ready to claim the two stimulus checks we did not receive (one for Stimulus # 1 and one for Stimulus # 2).  

Thanks 

[xmasbaby0]

@steinberg74 We cannot provide you with a date for the revision since we do not know.   Changing tax forms and tax software is a complex process. This 2nd stimulus bill passed in late December after the software had been written for 2020 returns.  First the IRS has to change its forms--along with the 2nd stimulus -- the new law also included a 2019 EIC lookback that affects many people.   AFTER the IRS revises its forms then the software programmers have to change all the tax software  ( all tax software--not just TT's software) .  Then all the software has to undergo a testing and approval process by the IRS.  So do not expect the software to be changed or to be ready quickly.  Check back in several weeks to see if the changes are ready.

Frustrating? Yes....But filing too soon and having to amend would be a lot worse.

[steinberg74]

Okay, although we're anxious and getting a refund, I know we will have to wait. Turbotax has instructed us any way that the return will not be ready to be filed until about the 19th of January when certain documents are completed. I assume Turbotax doesn't push the button themselves and file the prepared return without me? I don't want to have to file a "paper" amended return later. 

[SusanY1 · Accepted solution]

@steinberg74

You are correct, your return will not be filed unless and until you explicitly instruct the program to submit it.  TurboTax leaves it to you to "push the button" as it were - a bright orange button!

We expect the forms for most customers to be ready to calculate returns within another few weeks, but we are still awaiting information regarding when the IRS will actually begin to accept and process those returns.  

You may also be interested to know that we expect to be able to file current-year amended returns electronically soon, too!