Unemployment IRS and a missing W2. Amend ?

[mandrak007]

Hello everybody, I have a question. I filed my taxes, got my return and everything is fine. But I forgot to add a W2 of about 800$ and I also received unemployment in 2020. How should I procced from here? Wait until IRS gives back the Unemployment difference back to me, and then if they didn't catch the missing W2, amend with the missing W2 ? 

Thank you!

[CatinaT1]

Because you have additional income to report, you can amend now.

If you filed, it is like dropping it into a mailbox - you cannot get it back. 

You'll have to wait until your return is either accepted or rejected. 

• If rejected, you can make any necessary changes. 

• If accepted, you'll need to amend your return.   

• To avoid unnecessary delays, do not amend until your original return has been fully processed.   

• You can e-file your 2020 amended federal tax return, but most states require amendments to be printed and filed by mail. 

• Allow 16 weeks for processing. 

See this TurboTax FAQ for help with amending. 

You can check the status of your amended return here, but allow 3 weeks after filing for it to show up. 

[mandrak007]

But IRS site clearly says that if we received unemployment in 2020 we should NOT amend right now. But I know I have to amend because I missed a W-2. So it's a complicated situation.

[ToddL99]

See @CatinaT1 's advice above and amend your return.

If you fail to report the missing W-2, however, the IRS will send you an  automated  Notice of Proposed Increase in Taxes later this year.  

They will calculate the tax due (plus interest and penalties) and you can send them a check. No amended return is necessary, so you won't have to upgrade. 

The IRS uses this simplified procedure since It is extremely common to omit reporting a W-2 or Form 1099. You file before they arrive, they get lost in the mail, get lost in your house or get tossed along with junk mail.  

[mandrak007]

So, the best thing to do, is to wait and do nothing and let the IRS send me the notice for the extra money I owe them. But if they don't catch it, like they don't send me the notice by the end of the year, should I amend then?

Thank you so much, it means a lot!

[ToddL99]

They will "catch it" if it changes your taxes (owe more or get a refund) - the process is automated. 

You can amend if you like, but it will almost certainly be many months before they process an amended 2020 return.