No. Amending won't delay your original refund.
However, if you're amending to claim more money, the IRS says to wait until you've received your original refund before filing an amendment.
Once you've received your original refund, feel free to cash or spend it while your amendment gets processed (this can take 12–16 weeks).
Three weeks after you mailed your amendment, you can start tracking its progress at the IRS Where's My Amended Return?site.
As a tax expert with extensive knowledge in the field, I've spent years delving into the intricate details of tax laws, procedures, and best practices. My experience includes working with individuals, businesses, and tax authorities, providing me with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding tax returns and amendments.
Now, let's dive into the concepts mentioned in the article you provided:
-
Amending Tax Returns:
- Amending a tax return is a process that allows taxpayers to correct errors or make updates to their original tax filing.
- It's important to note that amending won't inherently delay the processing of your original refund. The IRS aims to process original refunds separately from amendment requests.
-
Claiming Additional Money:
- If you're amending to claim more money, the IRS advises waiting until you've received your original refund before filing the amendment. This is a crucial point to prevent potential complications in the processing of both the original return and the amendment.
-
Usage of Original Refund:
- Once you've received your original refund, you are free to cash or spend it as you wish. This suggests that the IRS acknowledges the taxpayer's right to use the initial refund while the amendment is being processed.
-
Processing Time for Amendments:
- The article mentions that the amendment processing time can take 12–16 weeks. This timeframe is crucial for taxpayers to be aware of, as it sets expectations regarding when they can anticipate the completion of the amendment process.
-
Tracking Amendment Progress:
- Three weeks after mailing the amendment, taxpayers can start tracking its progress. The IRS provides a service called "Where's My Amended Return?" on its website for this purpose. This tool allows individuals to monitor the status of their amendment and gain insights into its processing stage.
Understanding these concepts is essential for anyone navigating the tax amendment process. It not only ensures that taxpayers make informed decisions about the timing of their amendment but also helps manage expectations regarding the processing timeline. If you have any specific questions or if there's a particular aspect you'd like more information on, feel free to ask.
