I received a refund via direct deposit. I just received a paper refund check for a different amt. Any idea on what this check could be or who I should ask if it is real?

[lsblack1211]

Submitted a tax return in Feb, received a refund, had to amend and ended up owing money on the amended return so I paid that, now I got a paper refund for an amount that wasn't on  any of my tax documents. I don't know what do with this check. I cannot get a live person at the irs, they keep saying try again tomorrow.

[Critter-3]

A letter of explanation should come in the mail in the next month so you could wait and see.  In the mean time, since you filed the amendment before the IRS sent the original return, maybe you can see what happened ...

Review the amended return ...  

Look at the form 1040X …

Column A should have the figures from the original return, Column C the corrected figures and Column B the differences between the other 2 which needs an explanation on page 2 of the form 1040X.

If you completed it correctly you will see an entry on either line 16 OR 18:

On line 16 should be the amount you paid with your original return. If you paid nothing already then this line should be zero.

On line 18 should be the amount of your original refund you received.  If you have not received your refund yet then you need to wait for it.  If the refund changes from what you expected then this line must reflect that change.

Then you will see your extra refund on line 22 OR  the new balance due you need to pay on line 20.

[lsblack1211]

I did not file the amendment before the IRS sent the original return. Here is the timeline - Jan 21 I filed the original tax return and received a refund on Feb 13. February 26, I  filed the amended tax return and paid the taxes due. This week, I received a paper check with an amount that does not correspond to anything. 

[Critter-3]

Then wait for the IRS letter of explanation ... comes in the next few weeks.