Discrepancy between 2020 Tax return that was filed and downloaded last year, vs same Tax return downloaded now.

[believerboi]

Last year when we filed our Tax return, I saved the PDF file that includes what was filed on the same day it was filed. It showed a refund amount of X and we did receive that X amount in the bank.

This week I downloaded the 2020 Tax return again to get the Worksheets last year's calculations, and the 1040 shows a different refund amount Y. After comparing the 2 files, the newly downloaded includes some amounts in Schedule D (lines 4, 5, and 11) that weren't there in the return that was filed last year. These numbers in the newly downloaded file show there's a loss carryover on capital gain/loss, which the one that was filed did not include. Also, it shows a different refund amount of Y. Because turbotax looks at last year's 1040 for any loss carryover, on this year's 2021 Tax return, it's including that carry over for the calculations on capital loss/gain, which wasn't there when originally filed.

How could this have changed from what was filed to what Turbotax is showing now? And how do I know which of the 2 versions is correct? We definitely did not make any changes after it was filed last year. 

[FangxiaL]

If you received unemployment benefits in 2020 and you filed your 2020 return before the law passed to exclude $10,200 of the unemployment income, it will adjust automatically based on that information after you reopen your return.

The new version should be the correct one if this was your situation last year.

[believerboi]

This wasn't our situation; no unemployment benefits.

[MaryK4]

You can get a tax return transcript from the IRS which will show exactly what you filed.  The only way the numbers could have changed is if entries were made after you filed.  If you do not recognize the transactions at all, you may want to contact intuit security at Contact Information,

Get Transcript | Internal Revenue Service

@believerboi

[believerboi]

Thanks! I was able to get a transcript from the IRS and it everything matches the original Tax Return PDF file that I downloaded last year when we filed online.

When I downloaded the 2020 Tax Return this week to get access to the Worksheets, Turbotax seemed to re-calculate everything, it even said it would take a few minutes. In the newly downloaded PDF Tax Return, there is a Schedule E with 0s in it, that wasn't in the original Tax Return, and also there is a Form 6781, and that one is reporting a loss amount (originates in line 2, then repeats on lines 3, 5 7). This creates the difference in loss carry over that I'm seeing now this year.  I don't understand why this is included in the newly downloaded tax return, but wasn't in the original.  Was it supposed to be included in the first place, or could it be a mistake from TurboTax when re-creating the new Tax Return for download?

Also, would it be OK to just override the Capital Loss Carry over amounts to match the 2020 return that was filed?

Thanks in advance!

[ErnieS0]

Yes. You should change your numbers so the capital loss carry over amount will be correct.

You can probably delete Schedule E and Form 6781 if either appears in your 2021 return since they were not part of your original filing.

1. Click Tax Tools in the left column
2. Click Tools
3. Select Delete a Form in Tools Center
4. Scroll down to Schedule E and repeat for 6781
5. Click Continue With My Return in the lower right when you are finished