Problem with taxes

[skylovessea]

I filed my taxes by mail and was expecting $3337.32

After some discussion with members of this board, I learned that I may have done it incorrectly (and should be receiving more), which was in fact true.

I tried to amend it online and it kept taking me back to the home page (on Turbo Tax Freedom Edition)

I went ahead and submitted the correct information via e-file and called today to see if there was anything they could do to cancel the original return I sent in.

They told me to fill out a 1040x and it would be processed within 12 weeks. The only problem with that is we need that money now due to some financial obligations we have arranged based on that money. (My husband is out of work until later in the month and we have to pay rent by the end of the month to avoid being evicted.)

Should I just go ahead and take the lesser amount that they give me and claim the underpayment on next years taxes? I simply cannot wait 3 months for this money when I'm supposed to get it on the 24th of this month.

What are my options here?

[jIM_Ohio]

You need to file an amended return. You will have to wait to get your additional money. Instead of whining "I need the money now", realize you have much to learn and make sure you do the taxes correctly next year.

The law clearly states that once filed, you can amend the return. But you cannot "unfile" what is already filed. I would not argue with the IRS- if they let you do this, then there would be loopholes for tax evaders which would be tough for the IRS to deal with.

[ceejay74]

If your original return has already been sent to the IRS, you should receive that portion of your money pretty soon. You can fill out the 1040X even after you've received your return, and you'll receive the other portion they owe you.

If TurboTax is telling you to fill out a 1040X, I'm pretty sure that means your original has already been filed. But you can call them again just to clarify and make sure you're still going to receive the refund you originally asked for.

Jim, "whining" is an awfully rude word. Besides, she's not saying she needs the additional money now, just the original portion that she had already worked into her budget as arriving fairly soon.

[skylovessea]

You need to file an amended return. You will have to wait to get your additional money. Instead of whining "I need the money now", realize you have much to learn and make sure you do the taxes correctly next year.

The law clearly states that once filed, you can amend the return. But you cannot "unfile" what is already filed. I would not argue with the IRS- if they let you do this, then there would be loopholes for tax evaders which would be tough for the IRS to deal with.

I'm not "whining", it's simply crucial that we receive this money when we planned on getting it.

I'm not going to allow my family to be on the streets because I made a mistake. I have a child to take care of, this simply isn't an option.

So why don't you stop pointing out that I screwed up (which not only makes me feel horrible, but is not productive in any way) and tell me if I can just take the money from the original return and claim the rest next year.

That was all I wanted to know.

[jIM_Ohio]

anytime someone tells the OP something she does not want to hear, she complains instead of realizing others might have more knowledge than her. She has 3 threads going and each one reeks of the same attitude.

She wants to be treated as an adult, but continues to whine like a kid.

[jIM_Ohio]

I'm not "whining", it's simply crucial that we receive this money when we planned on getting it.

I'm not going to allow my family to be on the streets because I made a mistake. I have a child to take care of, this simply isn't an option.

So why don't you stop pointing out that I screwed up (which not only makes me feel horrible, but is not productive in any way) and tell me if I can just take the money from the original return and claim the rest next year.

That was all I wanted to know.

You cannot "claim the rest next year".

You will file an amended return and get a second check for the difference. Each year's return needs to stand by itself from an IRS POV.

If you don't like the answers, stop asking the questions or taking everything so personally.

[minnie1928]

I'm confused, are you getting more or less based on the TT calculations?

I believe what will happen is that they will send you your refund based on your first return. Then you will file the 1040X and any additional refund (assuming there is more) will be sent 12 weeks after that. So, in essence you will get your refund split into 2 payments.

You ask for your options here and unfortunately there are no options. You have to claim the income in the proper year and you have to file the 1040X amended return. That's it, end of story.

[skylovessea]

If your original return has already been sent to the IRS, you should receive that portion of your money pretty soon. You can fill out the 1040X even after you've received your return, and you'll receive the other portion they owe you.

If TurboTax is telling you to fill out a 1040X, I'm pretty sure that means your original has already been filed. But you can call them again just to clarify and make sure you're still going to receive the refund you originally asked for.

Jim, "whining" is an awfully rude word. Besides, she's not saying she needs the additional money now, just the original portion that she had already worked into her budget as arriving fairly soon.

Thank you for clearing that up for me, that is very helpful information. I guess I'm just worried that if I amend it before I receive it, that they will just hold on to the amount I was already supposed to receive until it is fixed, and then send the entire amount in 3 months. Does that make sense?

[skylovessea]

I'm confused, are you getting more or less based on the TT calculations?

I believe what will happen is that they will send you your refund based on your first return. Then you will file the 1040X and any additional refund (assuming there is more) will be sent 12 weeks after that. So, in essence you will get your refund split into 2 payments.

I'm getting a little over $1000 more.

I am hoping that is the case. When I called to clarify it, they were nothing but rude and unhelpful. I didn't get any of the information I was seeking and ended up frustrated with the attitude I was given. That's why I posted here. I seem to get better answers here than anywhere else.

[disneysteve]

Thank you for clearing that up for me, that is very helpful information. I guess I'm just worried that if I amend it before I receive it, that they will just hold on to the amount I was already supposed to receive until it is fixed, and then send the entire amount in 3 months. Does that make sense?

I don't think it works that way. The IRS will process your initial return when they receive it. They won't know that there is an amended return coming later. Each will be processed independently, or at least that's how I believe it will work.

[skylovessea]

You cannot "claim the rest next year".

You will file an amended return and get a second check for the difference. Each year's return needs to stand by itself from an IRS POV.

If you don't like the answers, stop asking the questions or taking everything so personally.

That's all I wanted to know. No reason to be so rude. Sorry I'm not as wise as you all. I'm young. Please understand that.

I just wanted my questions answered.

It's not that I don't like the answers. It's that I don't like the attitude. There is no reason to be rude to me personally and offend me for what I did wrong. If everyone did that, there would be no reason for this forum. It's unnecessary drama that could easily be avoided if everyone was just understanding and considerate. Instead of telling me to stop "whining", why don't you just answer my question and avoid being condescending.

Just my opinion. There's no reason for you to say that I'm taking things too personally. If someone negatively commented on your mistakes, I'm sure you would have a problem with it as well.

[skylovessea]

anytime someone tells the OP something she does not want to hear, she complains instead of realizing others might have more knowledge than her. She has 3 threads going and each one reeks of the same attitude.

She wants to be treated as an adult, but continues to whine like a kid.

You are kidding me right?

You have it totally wrong, and I think your attitude needs to stop here. Why don't you just forget that I'm young and treat me like a human being? Your condescending words and tone are getting very old.

It's not that I'm hearing things I don't want to hear. The only time I have complained is when people like you decide it's productive and acceptable to personally bash me. You and wincrasher both have made me deeply consider quitting this forum. I come here to get help, and instead I am bashed and my mistakes are pointed out in a very rude way.

(Am I the only one seeing this? Honestly, I don't believe I'm taking things too personally. I'm receiving very hurtful comments from Jim and wincrasher and it's very VERY upsetting.)

All I want is advice, help, and understanding attitude from you guys. I'm young, yes. So of course I make mistakes. That's part of growing up. But I'm also human, and you cannot tell me that as a human being you have not messed up from time to time.

Let me address the fact (again) that you think I'm "whining" because I'm hearing things I don't want to hear. It's not the answer that I don't like hearing. It is the attitude. Of course I'm going to defend myself and ask you to stop being hateful. I don't see anything wrong with that.

I'm not as whiny and childish as you are trying to make me seem. I'm an adult, just like anyone else here. I have a family, I am responsible, and I have a pretty darn good head on my shoulders (and I think a lot of people here would agree with that statement, to be honest).

I'm going to state the obvious here and just say that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

[jIM_Ohio]

That's all I wanted to know. No reason to be so rude. Sorry I'm not as wise as you all. I'm young. Please understand that.

If youth were an excuse for stupidity, that would explain why everyone wants to be younger and not get old. People like you will keep others employed for sure.

Criticizing posts is not the same thing as criticizing people, and people here will have no problem ripping my ideas and views if they are off base. It's happened before and might even happen again.

[skylovessea]

I don't think it works that way. The IRS will process your initial return when they receive it. They won't know that there is an amended return coming later. Each will be processed independently, or at least that's how I believe it will work.

Thank you. That cleared up a lot!

[Bernz]

"Should I just go ahead and take the lesser amount that they give me and claim the underpayment on next years taxes? I simply cannot wait 3 months for this money when I'm supposed to get it on the 24th of this month."

Here's all you need to do.

Wait for your refund money. File an amended return later and I would suggest that you set aside money to pay a tax preparer to do it. Unfortunately, because of the mistake you will not be getting the full amount due to you at the moment. Good luck and hope everything works out well with you and I really commend you for coming out here and ask for help. That's really positive on your part.