Attempt to Amend Tax Return Created a Second Filing.

[Snoopy70]

I forgot to include my estimated tax payments in my original 2021 return.  This is the only thing different from the original return. I incorrectly attempted to amend the return and ended up filing a second return. The second return filed appears to have been accepted as I can login to my states Department of Revenue website and see the refund due that was shown in the second filing. I can't confirm anything by logging into my IRS online account. 

Should I file an amended return (correctly), or just wait for now?

[Critter-3]

STOP  ... do no more damage.  The fed/state should correct this error themselves making the amended return useless/unneeded and should be eventually ignored.  

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

In the first place you didn't need to amend to add the estimates.  The IRS should catch that and add it in for you.  Then filing a second return would reject.  So maybe the state efile didn't go though the first time.  Did you get Accepted emails for the first efiles federal and state?  So don't do anything now.  Sounds like you might be good.  

Did your first federal efile get accepted?   For the Desktop program you have to check the filing status inside the program.   (But that hasn't been working right) Open your return and go up to menu item   File > Electronic Filing > Check Electronic Filing Status

When you efile you get back 2 emails. The first email only confirms the transmission. The second email says if the IRS (or state) Accepted or Rejected your efile.

[Snoopy70]

@Critter-3 

My research had me thinking that was best thing to do. In fact, I think it would have been best to have simply waited and let the IRS correct the return. Thanks for confirming!

[MissionAcct1]

It will probably be best to wait for correspondence from the IRS.  If they process the first return, they'll notice you didn't include your previous tax estimates you paid, and will send you a "We corrected your return" letter with their adjustments.  If you indicated a refund due you in your original filing, they will likely adjust that number up and tell you they will be sending you an increased refund amount.  Compare their letter to your records to see if they did everything right.  If that is the case, they may ignore your second filing.  Sending the IRS a 3rd return, even if amended, may complicate things more than they already are.

[Snoopy70]

@VolvoGirl 

Thanks for taking to to respond. I did know about the transmission and accepted emails. I did receive receive emails stating the state and federal returns were accepted on the original filing. I did not receive any emails when I accidentally filed the return the second time, yet the refund due from the state matches what was on the second filing. 

I'd really like to know how that happened. Did I possibly not hit the final button to  transmit the return and exit thinking I did. There were 3+ weeks between initially filing and the time I attempted to file the amended return. Is it possible that when I reopened the return and checked and installed TT updates that the Fed and State numbers were updated because the IRS had already amended the return to include the payments?

[VolvoGirl]

No.  The state probably added your estimates in for you on the original return.   I expect the IRS will do the same.  No, nothing got updated between you and them when you tried to update or amend, etc.

[Snoopy70]

Thanks to all who responded. @MissionAcct1  @Critter-3   I am going to mark the response from  @VolvoGirl as the best answer as it includes more details.