I accidentally sent in more money than I owed. Can I get it back?

[CarolynB]

Hi! According to irs.gov, If you overpaid tax, you can have all or part of the overpayment refunded to you, or you can apply all or part of it to your estimated tax. If you choose to get a refund, it will be sent separately from any refund shown on your original return.

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p17/ch01.html they do not make this information easy to see. You will find it in the section marked Amended Returns and Claims for Refund.

[Sarany1]

Hi. I did an extension on my taxes this year and sent in money in advance thinking I owed them when in fact I got money back. How do I get that prepaid money back ? 

[DoninGA]

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@Sarany1 wrote:

Hi. I did an extension on my taxes this year and sent in money in advance thinking I owed them when in fact I got money back. How do I get that prepaid money back ? 

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IF you reported the payment made with the tax extension on your tax return, that amount would have been entered on on Form 1040 Line 17 and on Schedule 5 Line 71.  If you filed your 2018 tax return and are receiving a tax refund then then all or part of your extension payment will be included in the tax refund.  If you filed your 2018 tax return and have taxes owed, then the amount of the extension payment reduced your taxes owed.

[turnmeloose68]

I did my taxes and it showed that I owed $311, SO I mailed a check to them for the $311,,, BUT I did "not" know that the payment was made from my Credit card that i used to pay Turbo Tax,,, so then I mailed them a personal check for the SAME $311,,, Which made me double paid on my Federal taxes!!! I called them and they said they did receive the DOUBLE payment  and would send the $311 dollars back! BUT, I have not got it YET,, and I paid double on February 22nd! How long will it take to get the $311 back???!!!

[CassLO]

@turnmeloose68 The IRS states that it takes 4-6 weeks to receive your refund of overpayment. Also, if you have not received your refund in that time frame, you should contact the IRS.

Please see this IRS link for more information. Understanding Your CP268 Notice | Internal Revenue Service

If you need to contact the IRS, please see the contact information below:

How do I contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)?

Note: 

You will need to follow the prompts in order to speak to an IRS agent. There is a high call volume this time of year.

When calling the IRS do NOT choose Option 1.   

Choose Option 2 after you choose the language.   

Then Press 1    

Then Press 3   

Then Press 2, it will then transfer you to an agent.  

[turnmeloose68]

Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!! To the responding Turbo Tax Agent!!!!! Ren S.

[Liris22]

I accidentally paid federal taxes instead of state when I didn't owe federal, can I get a refund or what can I do?

[Juhu974]

I did the same thing this year...did anybody get their refund back?

[Critter-3]

How did you pay the feds by accident ?   Did you mail in a payment with the return ?  Did you mail it with the wrong return ?   

[clarks678]

I did this too. I have tried for many hours upon hours to get in touch with the IRS. My problem was because of covid we never got to actually see our taxes we just signed electronically and on 7/15 I panicked and paid the IRS instead of our State, ugh! Now it is nearly impossible to get in touch with the IRS to get our money back. Everything I read says 3 weeks for a refund but it has been 4 weeks and I haven't received anything yet. Does anyone have any information on how to get the IRS to answer your call?  

[clarks678]

Every time I call it tells me they do not have enough staff to take my call and to try again tomorrow. If you try again "tomorrow" it says the same thing. I don't know what else to do. I have literally spent hours online trying to figure this out. Any other help? Thanks! 

[DoninGA]

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@clarks678 wrote:

Every time I call it tells me they do not have enough staff to take my call and to try again tomorrow. If you try again "tomorrow" it says the same thing. I don't know what else to do. I have literally spent hours online trying to figure this out. Any other help? Thanks! 

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Many users have reported that they can get an IRS agent if they call first thing in the morning or the last hour during the evening.

Call the IRS: 1-800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday
When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.
So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info). Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.
Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".
Then press 3 "for all other questions."
Then press 2 "for all other questions."
- When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don't enter anything.
- After it asks twice, you will get another menu.

Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
Then press 4 for all other inquiries
It should then transfer you to an agent.

[sjdimage]

I also did this. My tax helper said to " go to irs,gov and make your payment." Sadly it was the STATE that was supposed to get the payment (like $ 2,800!) Did not even realize the error until I got a bill from the sate saying I never paid them. 

Anyway, I made that payment to the IRS back in early MARCH. Online at the IRS site is shows my payment, but in five months I have still received no communication about it. I also cannot get someone on the phone.

I would be fine leaving it as a balance on the account if I knew for sure that it can be applied to my 2020 taxes next year. But I cannot even get anyone on the phone about it.

[Critter-3]

Sadly the IRS will take longer this year to notice the overpayment however they will eventually refund it ...  call if you want or can.