I made a mistake and got more refund than I should. What should I do?
Q) I made a mistake and got more refund than I should. What do I do?
A) According to the IRS: Many mistakes are corrected in processing and a letter of explanation is mailed at the time the refund is issued.
If the mistake was not corrected in processing, you need to:
- File an amended or corrected return using Form 1040X (PDF), Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, as soon as possible.
- Include copies of any schedules that have been changed or any Form(s) W-2 (PDF) you did not include.
- If you return the refund check with a letter of explanation, a refund in the correct amount will be issued when the IRS processes the amended return.
- Write “Void” in the endorsement section of the check, and return the check with a letter of explanation to the Service Center where you file your amended return as soon as possible to minimize the interest charges.
- Allow the IRS 8-12 weeks to process the amended return.
Because the IRS processes the first return it receives, if another person claims your dependent first, the IRS will reject your return. The IRS won’t tell you who claimed your dependent. But if you don’t suspect anyone who could have claimed the dependent, your dependent may be a victim of tax identity theft. You’ll need to take some steps to protect your right to claim the dependent and your refund if you don’t think that the other person was eligible to claim your dependent. First, double check that you meet all of the requirements to claim the dependent.
The IRS may delay your refund while the IRS looks into the issue, but you should still receive your refund. File a paper return. Note that when you file a paper return, it can take six to eight weeks for the IRS to process. This includes things like birth certificates and proof of identity, but also documents that show that your dependent lived with you at the same address for more than half of the year. This doesn’t mean that you can’t correct the situation. Don’t panic. The most important thing to remember is to prove with proper documentation that you are entitled to claim the dependent. Document your case as the IRS rules for claiming a dependent can get complicated.