topic Amending a return erases a refund? g a in After you file

Amending a return erases a refund? g a

geisme — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 07:23:43 GMT

I filed 2021 beyond the efiling cut off and forgot to include two 1099-G documents. As filed I was due a refund. The IRS caught the error so I found the missing papers and updated my return which still showed a refund due. But when I used the process to amend the return turbotax zeroes out the refund/amount owed and now shows us owing a big chunk of money. Needless to say I don't like the amended return. Which way is right?

Re: Amending a return erases a refund? g a

Anonymous_ — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 13:49:50 GMT

The threshold question is whether the IRS requested that you file an amended return or simply made an assessment based on the missing tax reporting statements.

Re: Amending a return erases a refund? g a

fanfare — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 13:52:36 GMT

follow the instructions in the notification you got from IRS.

@geisme

Re: Amending a return erases a refund? g a

geisme — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 13:53:22 GMT

They called out my error and said the refund was erased. I can't remember the details. I need to find their letter. I had to update the return for a legal case because the IRS couldn't get a copy of what I filed. Just a transcript.

Re: Amending a return erases a refund? g a

geisme — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 02:15:26 GMT

I find it mystifying why correcting the original return produces such a different result from the amending process. I went from being owed $6000, to owing $5000 by amending the original filing, but correcting my original return I was still owed $4000.

Re: Amending a return erases a refund? g a

VolvoGirl — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 02:47:23 GMT

How did you amend? What order did you do things? You said you updated your return, then you amended? No. You have to amend by starting with the first original return. So did you take out the changes you made when you updated before amending?

Also when you amend it assumes you got the first original 6,000 refund. So you have to change that to zero on the amended return.