If you put the wrong amount from first stimulus payment, do I need to change my federal taxes?

[sharonsjones13]

I already e-filed and my federal return was accepted, but I put wrong amount for first stimulus payment, do I need to change it?

[xmasbaby0]

You cannot make changes to a return that is in pending or to a return that has just been accepted.  

We do not know if entering the wrong stimulus amount will delay your refund --- or for how long if it does.   The IRS has not offered any guidance yet on how they will handle returns that have incorrect stimulus amounts entered.  We all just have to wait and see.  You are among many people  who were confused and entered incorrect stimulus amounts, or who filed early and then received a check.   

[Noclair1228]

 Can we get an update to this question, did you end up getting your tax return?? I accidentally put the wrong amount in to and would like to know what to do.

[DianeW777]

Do nothing until the IRS has fully processed your tax return after acceptance. If your return gets rejected, you will be able to fix it and then resubmit it immediately.

First check Get My Payment - Select the button Get My Payment to see if your information is current based on the payments you did receive.

If the IRS does not automatically make the correct adjustments for you then you can amend your tax return to correct it. This will be available March 25th. Form 1040X

• How to amend (change or correct) a return already filed (and accepted at the IRS)
• Steps to amend my 2020 return

1. In TurboTax Online, to claim the Recovery Rebate credit please do the following:
2. Sign into your account and continue from where you left off
3. Click on Federal in the left-hand column, then on Federal Review on the top of the screen
4. On the next page titled Let's make sure you got the right stimulus amount, click on Continue
5. Follow the interview  
6. TurboTax will determine whether you are entitled to any additional stimulus
7. Any stimulus amount remaining due to you will show as a credit on line 30 of your form 1040.

[captainmistake]

I just so happened to also make an error during filing and entering the wrong amount given for the first round of stimulus payments. The IRS adjusted my return for what it was suppose to be but they also sent a notice stating that Federal Filing was not affected by the stimulus payments. I ended up receiving what I would have gotten without making an error. Hope this helps!

[Kh930365]

Can we have an update on this please? I still haven’t heard anything about it. 

[JotikaT2]

It depends.

No, if you entered the wrong amount but the Recovery Rebate Credit is being calculated on your tax return, you do not need to do anything.

Correcting Recovery Rebate Credits on returns already filed

However, if you entered the wrong amount and the Recovery Rebate Credit was not calculated on your tax return, you would need to file an amended return if you determine you were entitled to the credit.

How to amend your 2020 return

You will need to look at your Form 1040 to determine if the Recovery Rebate Credit was already included in your return.  If you claimed the rebate recovery credit, it will show up on Page 2, line 30 of your Form 1040 as the Recovery rebate credit.  See the sample form below.

See the link below for instructions on how to print your return after filing to help you determine if you claimed the credit or not.

Printing a copy of your return after e-file

@Kh930365

[Katatlas]

Hi captainmistake!

So I thought we never received our second payment. When I checked the IRS website, it showed the error message like it did for everyone else that used TurboTax. We did our taxes and entered 0 for the second payment. A couple weeks later I was looking at our account and there it was, $1200 from the IRS. SMH. 

Is this similar to your mistake? When did you file your taxes versus when you got the adjusted refund? I’ve tried amending and there’s nowhere to fix this screwup! 

Thanks!

Kris

[JoannaB2]

DO NOT file an amended tax return if you entered an incorrect amount for the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return. If you entered an amount on line 30 but made a mistake in calculating the amount, the IRS will calculate the correct amount of the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit, make the correction to your tax return and continue processing your return. If a correction is needed, there may be a slight delay in processing your return and the IRS will send you a notice explaining any change made.

To check the status of your refund from your original return, check Where's My Refund?

[BeTrue84]

How long did it take to get your federal return back when you made that mistake. I made the same error an it has been 7 weeks an my return still says processing.

[SForrestLO]

@BeTrue84

It can take anywhere from a few days to 3 weeks to update and show the status. The 21 days is just an estimated time frame. The IRS began processing returns on 2/12, you may not find a record of it or the website may say that you have put in incorrect information when tracking your federal refund. As your return moves through the system, the status of it will be updated. Since Turbo Tax will not have the status of your refund, continue checking the Where’s My Federal Refund tool for updates. Updates are made daily, usually overnight.

What does pending mean?

Please use this link to track your refund from the IRS

Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions

[hlpeebles]

Has anyone had any luck? I filed early February. It was accepted. After four weeks, we determined I entered the wrong amount for stimulus from first round. The lady I spoke with “notated” that on my account and said to call the next week to speak to someone in the “errors” department. That was four weeks ago. Never got a letter. Could never get through to the IRS again after calling hundreds of times. No return. Still says processing. So it’s been two months since I filed with no answer, no return, and no letter from IRS. Anyone have any idea why??? Why they didn’t send a letter, why it would still be processing, and how long it takes the IRS to issue a refund if they make the correction themselves?? Help!!! Single mom here. I am relying on this return!

[CarissaM]

You would need to contact the IRS directly for answers. 

Please click here to contact the IRS. It is best to call as early in the morning as possible, and not on Monday and Tuesdays.  @hipeebles. 

[Rufino0018]

They do not answer Wednesday through Friday, is there a hotline or status option that taxpayers can utilize? It has been months since I filed my return and all I did was mistakenly add an amount. The check my refund screen still says it is processing. I am counting on this tax return refund!

[hlpeebles]

I have called every day of the week starting at the time the phones open until they close. For the last three weeks, I can’t even get the welcome menu. Just says due to call volume, call can not be completed as dialed. And should you actually get a menu, it then puts you on hold and then tells you to try your call again later. I have called hundreds of times!!!