What happens if my stimulus check is received (either by paper check or direct deposit) *after* I have filed my taxes and claimed the Economic Impact Payment credit?

[mlmoorman]

Wondering this same question. I received my email notification to update my direct deposit information after I had filed my taxes with the rebate credit. I don't want the IRS to reject my tax return and wait up to 4 months to receive my taxes.

[markenamoore]

My fears exactly. I am hoping we aren't penalized for the disorganization and mix-ups (though understandable) of others. For many of us, that $600 is the difference between food and no food. 

[mlmoorman]

Unfortunately, I think we will be. By the time they receive our returns and process they will be able to see that we received the second stimulus payment, and will then reject the return. Then we would have to file an amended return and those can only be mailed and take up to 4 months to process. I would rather wait an additional month to receive the stimulus with my taxes instead of getting the stimulus and waiting up to 4 months to receive my tax return which is substantially more money.

[markenamoore]

I have my doubts about that though, as they have to have perceived and predicted that this sort of thing would happen with the large delays in processing the stimulus checks. They know most Americans file as early as they possibly can. Seems like they would be opening themselves up for 10X the work load, by rejecting an usually large number of returns. I have a feeling this has happened to a large number of people. 

[mlmoorman]

I only have until midnight tonight to update my DD info with turbo tax to get the second stimulus anyway. I'm not sure I'm willing to risk the chances of the rejected return. And then if they do end up accepting the tax return and we receive the stimulus check twice, we will surely be punished next year or receive an unexpected bill from the IRS to give it back.

[mlmoorman]

I’ve reached out to TurboTax about this and I’m awaiting a call. I’ll update as soon as I talk to someone. After researching some returns that are rejected can be easily updated online and e-filed again but some will have to print and mail and wait up to 4 months.

[fanfare · Accepted solution]

IRS doesn't REJECT a return for errors on a line item.

They call this a "miscalculation" and the IRS computers will correct/adjust your tax return.

[markenamoore]

This is what I was just told as well, from a TurboTax rep. Thanks so much! 

[mlmoorman]

So essentially, they would just adjust my tax return amount after seeing I had already received the stimulus? 

[markenamoore]

Correct!

[mlmoorman]

NICE! I am going to go ahead and update my payment information then and hope for the best!

[fanfare]

@mlmoorman 

If your return is REJECTED, you can fix the error and resubmit immediately, assuming it is a fixable error.

There is no big delay for doing this. Your ACCEPTED return goes right in for processing.

[mlmoorman]

Thank you all for the clarification. I've updated my DD info and the only thing different on my return for the past 7 years has been claiming that rebate credit for the stimulus, so all should go smoothly minus that! Thanks all for your advice.

[ibphyllis]

I was wondering the same thing.  I just did my taxes on line and only included the $1200 stimulus check because I didn't receive the second one until 2021.   Now my tax return shows a refund of $600.  Do I need to modify my return or will it adjust automatically to show 0 refund due.  I don't want any red flags.