My first refund is larger than what my amended refund will be. How does the IRS work that out?

[jlgamble1126]

We will be amending this years taxes because we need to change our filing status. The original refund is more than what it should be and after we amend we will have a new and smaller refund. How does the IRS work that out? Do we keep the original refund and then mail back the difference?

[AnnaB · Accepted solution]

When you prepare an amendment using TurboTax, your refund ticker restarts at zero.  This is because the amended form accounts for your original refund or balance due.

If you have a refund after preparing an amendment, this refund is in addition to your original refund.

If you have a balance owed after preparing an amendment, this means your original refund was too high (or your balance owed was too low) and this amount needs to be paid back to the IRS.

If you made a change before starting the amendment process, you need to re-set your account to match your original return by changing the new item back (or removing it).  Then start the amendment process and your refund ticker will start over.

You should wait to file your amendment until you receive your original refund to confirm the IRS does not change the figure.  In addition, the amendment form is not expected to be ready for filing until mid-February.

[meshia87]

So if u start doing the amendment process will it effect ur refund status that u already have? Or u can complete it & it won't effect anything until u send it off?

[AnnaB]

There is no effect on your original return.

Once the IRS processes your amended return, which can take 8-12 weeks, they will issue a check for the additional refund.

Having said that, if you left off an income item, the IRS could potentially send you a notice instead of sending your refund.  However, if you already have a refund status, this means the IRS has likely approved your return.

[meshia87]

Thank you!

[nasria]

I file e filed and due a large refund which is in accepted status, however there is math error and I need to amend and will now owe money. Should I wait to see if I can the refund  before sending in amended tax
Thank you, sn

[Rosedanette]

The IRS Computers correct math errors so you don’t have to do anything. Although if it is something more like taking a dependent off or taking a tax credit off, etc. then that’s when you’d have to come in and amend it.

[CassLO]

Please see the TurboTax help topic below that explains how the refunds are processed on amendments:

How does the refund math work on amendments?