Solved: I accidentally used my 2017 W2 when filing rather than my 2018W2. What do I do now? Will the IRS just reject the filing and me redo it with the right one?

1 Best answer

Level 15

Jun 1, 2019 10:34:15 AM

Are you sure you successfully efiled? What is the status when you log into your account? Does it say "pending?"

You can also check here. Does this tool say "pending?"
https://shop.turbotax.intuit.com/efile/efile_status_lookup.jsp

No, the IRS will not summarily reject it for that reason. It's possible your return will be accepted. This early in the year, the IRS does not know if your W-2 information is correct or not. So unless there is something else that causes the return to reject, it may be accepted.

You will have to wait until January 28, or soon after, to see if your return was accepted or rejected. That's when the IRS opens up to start processing returns, except for a few test returns that are pulled early. If yours rejects, you can make any corrections and resubmit the efile. If your return is accepted, however, then the only way to correct it is with an amended return, which can be a hassle. So in this case, you should hope it rejects, since that will be the easiest approach to correcting it.

If you do have to amend the return, wait on any Federal refund (if applicable) to arrive first. In the meantime, do NOT make any changes in the return. Keep it as it was originally filed, which is how it has to start off if amending a return.

An amended return cannot be efiled. It has to be printed and mailed, and can take the IRS up to 16 weeks to process.

If you have to amend the Federal return, it's likely you will need to amend the state return as well, if applicable.