I amended my taxes and now I am getting a $0 refund - why?

[kiwilaughtax]

I was getting $1500 refund. I had to amend my taxes. It's my first time filing and I made a mistake. Forgot to claim myself as a dependent on my parents' taxes. Now I am getting a refund of $0. Why?

[Texas Roger · Accepted solution]

You will still get your original refund. It will be processed on your original return. The amended return only shows the difference between your original refund and the refund you would have received had you completed it with the change to begin with. 

[kiwilaughtax]

My amended return looks like it is lower than my original return. I calculated it on the 1040X and and the 2016 form 1, pg 3.

[Texas Roger]

Look at the amended return form 1040X. Line 18 should be the amount of refund on your original return. You should wait until you get the original refund before you mail the amended return. Line 20 would be the amount you now owe as a result of the changes to your return. If you are getting an additional refund, that amount would be on line 21.

[VolvoGirl]

How much was your income?  If you were getting a refund by claiming yourself you probably have to pay some back when you change to be a dependent.  The zero on the amended return should mean no change from the first return, not that your refund changed to zero.

[Adriannamclain02]

It's my first time filing and I had to amend it, because it was accepted and sent to a bank account that didnt have direct deposit set up. After that it was supposedly sent back to the sender.

[Adriannamclain02]

I have fixed tje bank account and routing numbers to one that does have it set up.

[VolvoGirl]

Why are you amending?  You don't amend to change the bank account.  If the bank rejected the deposit the IRS will mail a check to the address on your account.

When you amend your return resets to zero.  Then you enter the changes to your income and deductions.  Like if you left off a W2 or are adding a dependent.  Not just to change your bank info.