I filed an amended return that showed a small amount due (meaning a slight reduction in my refund). But the IRS has not provided any refund? File 2nd amended return?

I filed my taxes on time and was due a refund. Then, after filing, I noticed an error in my reporting of Roth IRA contributions. I filed an amended return right away. The amended return showed a small amount due (meaning a slight reduction in my refund). But the IRS has not provided any refund. Seeking advice on how to proceed. Should I make a 2nd amended return?

After you file

STOP !!!!

You were not supposed to mail in the first amended return before the IRS finished processing the original return. You should have waited for the original return before you mailed the amendment ... in fact the first thing the program asks is " did you get the original refund yet"  and if you say NO it even tells you to WAIT.  And if the amended return showed a balance due you were supposed to mail a check with the 1040X which is another reason to wait for the original refund so you had the money to send.

What to do now ... do NOT send another return as you are just gumming up the works.


 FIRST thing ....Did you e-file your original tax return and was it accepted?

Use this TurboTax website to check the status of an e-filed tax return -https://shop.turbotax.intuit.com/efile/efile_status_lookup.jsp


If accepted by the IRS then use this IRS website to check the status of a federal tax refund -https://www.irs.gov/refunds


If it's been "processing" longer than 21 days since it first showed up at "Where's My Refund", you can phone the IRS to inquire and see what you can learn about the delay. They may be reviewing something on a return, or some filers have to provide additional documents, etc.

IRS: 800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Mon-Fri

When calling the IRS do not choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.
 
First choose your language.
Then press 2 for "personal income tax".
Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".  
Then press 4 "for all other questions."
Then press 2 "for all other questions." It should then transfer you to an agent, but there is likely to be a long wait.



If it's been more than 90 days since the return was accepted  then you can ask for help from the Tax Payer Advocate office:

At the following IRS website, find the USA map and click on your state, and it will give you the number of your IRS Taxpayer Advocate.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-a-Local-Taxpayer-Advocate

If you are unsuccessful with the Taxpayer Advocate for your area, you can also try the special IRS phone number for the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 877-777-4778.

More info on the Taxpayer Advocate Service:
http://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/about/who-we-are

http://www.irs.gov/Advocate/Taxpayer-Advocate-Service-6

Also see this article for more info on how the Taxpayer Advocate Service works:
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc104.html