If I filed a federal return then filed an amended return, will that stop the IRS from processing the original return?

[SweetieJean]

No, as it takes several months to process the amended return.

[Critter-3]

First you should never file an amended return before the original had been fully processed.  They will ignore the amended return until the original return has been fully processed and the amendment being in the system could even delay or extend the processing time of the original return.   Don't do anything else and let the IRS sort it out.  

[fanfare]

If the amended return shows "amount you owe", you have to pay it since it is after Tax Day.

It takes them so long to get to your 1040-X the IRS will send the payment back to you as overpayment for 1040.

even if you write "For 1040-X" on your check.

Then you have to pay again when you amend.

This makes it impossible to pay now to reduce penalties and interest.

[Critter-3]

Sending a payment now with the 1040X (even if it is sent back) establishes the fact that you did try to pay and can be used to reduce any penalties/interest the IRS tries to levy later.  Or you can make a direct payment online instead of mailing a check.  www.IRS.gov/pay

[a3c2cb88ef32]

Thank you, I didn’t realize that until after it was already done. I did it in March. I hadn’t heard anything and I tried to call the IRS yesterday and the after holding for hours, they told me I’d have to wait 20 weeks for the amended return to be processed and they wouldn’t process then original. I wasn’t sure if that was right. They didn’t sound very sure of their answer.

[fanfare]

Things are different now that you can e-File 1040-X.

According to the IRS, the entire corrected return is sent to the IRS along with the 1040-X.

This is different than paper filing.

It makes sense that the original return would not be processed, if it had not yet been processed.

.

[fanfare]

@Critter-3 

maybe online payments works better than paper checks.

My brother-in-law paid with a paper check. It was cashed and then refunded.