Reporting stimulus check payments on tax return

[rbarrier64]

Hi...  I just finished filing my 2020 tax return over the weekend.  Today my second economic impact payment arrived in the mail.   Do I need to update my return to reflect this payment received?  I saw that the IRS is not accepting returns until February, so wonder if I should re-file.

Thanks!

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

You cannot re-file.   Your return is in pending where you cannot touch it.   

MY RETURN IS IN PENDING—what does that mean?

Did you e-file?  Did you click that big orange button that said “Transmit my returns now?”  If so, your return is now in “pending” on a server.  Do not try to change anything while your return is in pending.

The IRS will not be accepting/rejecting 2020 returns until Friday, February 12, 2021.  You need to watch your emails for the acceptance/rejection notice that may take until the end of the month to arrive in your inbox.  And watch your spam folder too.

When you e-file your federal return you will receive two emails from TurboTax.  The first one will say that your return was submitted.  The second email will tell you if your federal return was accepted or rejected.  If you e-filed a state return, there will be a third email to tell you if the state accepted or rejected your state return.

A state return cannot be accepted until the federal return has been accepted.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-tax-filing-season-begins-feb-12-irs-outlines-steps-to-speed-refund...

[rbarrier64]

Thank you, @xmasbaby0!    This is very helpful.    Is there any way to know at this point whether I will need to file an amendment later?

[xmasbaby0]

No----just wait to see if your return is accepted or rejected.   if it is rejected then you can make changes and re-file.   if accepted, the IRS will likely catch the stimulus already sent to you---but it could delay your refund somewhat.  This is all so new.....we do not know how they will handle everything.