@smarte wrote:
I completed my 2020 taxes and Turbo Tax told me I could reduce my taxes by contributing to an IRA. $14,000 for me and my wife if we wanted to. I entered $4,000 and the program entered it and reduced my tax.
BUT when I sent my check to Standard insurance for $4,000 (to the same address and account as I have in other years) Standard sent my $4,000 back, saying I could not contribute?
What do I do?
If you filed and it was accepted then you will have to amend and remove that contribution and pay any tax credit you received.
You should never make a contribution at the last minute and never claim a deduction until the contribution has been posted by the IRA trustee.
To amend your 2020 tax return:
-- First, *wait* to see if your return has been accepted or rejected by the IRS or state. DO NOT do anything until you receive the accept or reject e-mail.
-- If rejected, you can correct and re-send your return.
-- If accepted you should *wait* until your return has been processed and you receive your refund or conformation that any tax due has been paid. (If you file an amended return while you first return is being processed it can cause extended delays for both returns if two returns are in the system at the same time). In addition, if the IRS makes any change on your original return, you might end up having to amend the amendment – a sticky process that can take a year or more).
-- Then you can start the amend process.
Do not rush to amend - no hurry. You have 3 years to amend and amended returns are taking 4-6 months or longer to be processed so waiting a few weeks will make little difference and amending too soon might just compound the problem. (If you amend today you probably will not see the results until August or September).
It is suggested that it be mailed certified with return receipt (or other tracking service) to verify that the IRS receives it. That is the only proof of mailing that the IRS will accept.
-- Amended returns can be mailed or e-filed - allow 8-12 weeks - can take up to 16 weeks (4 months) for processing.
See this TurboTax FAQ for help with amending:
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894381-how-to-amend-change-or-correct-a-return-you-already-filed
You can check the status of your amended return here but allow 3 weeks after filing for it to show up:
https://www.irs.gov/filing/wheres-my-amended-return
**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**
