Error on State tax

[Happy prose]

So we had H & R Block do our taxes. We owed NJ $110. He efiled the form, and gave us a voucher to mail with check. Two days later, my DH checked it, and saw he forgot one W2 form. We went back, he amended it, and we get back $195. That form he did not efile, but printed for us. He suggests we pay the $110 first, wait two weeks and mail the amended form. Is this correct? Never again...

[rangerj]

NOTE: As a general comment NOT aimed at the OP: The return should be checked over before it is signed. A good professional will go over the return with the clients BEFORE having them sign the return. In general the IRS will treat the last return filed as the correct return when more than one return is filed before the due date. The amended return will not be treated as an "AMENDED" return, again if it is filed before the due date. That having been said, did the return preparer treat the $110 as an estimated payment (amount paid in) on the so-called amended return? If he/she did treat it as a tax payment then your filing of the so-called amended return should bring you to the correct amount of tax paid and the correct refund, assuming the return is otherwise correct. If the $110 was not accounted for on the so-called amended return then the IRS will have a credit balance that it will usually refund unless you should owe some amount of tax for some reason, say a prior year balance due, or tell them (formally) to treat it as an estimated payment for the next tax year.

[Happy prose]

No, the amended return did nit mention the $110, but nor did we mail the check yet. I got a text saying NJ got the first e-filed (incorrect) return. Are you saying we shouldn't mail the check with voucher, just mail the amended form?

[TheOtherMe]

The amended return is incorrect if it didn't mention the $110 as a payment or did the preparer tell you not to mail the check.

FYI, amended returns can not be e-filed.

[Happy prose]

We did not mail the check yet; that's my question! Mail check, wait a week and mail amended form? Or can I just mail amended? The amended does not have a line item for $110, but under explanation of income, he wrote wrong wages/ witholding W2. 

[Ombud]

Let me make it simple:
Check taxes paid on amended form, get out paper and pencil & add it up yourself esp since the tax store might have gotten that wrong too. If it states that you sent the check (your 1st post states he told you to mail pymt), send it even though you will eventually get it back. It takes a week to process the payment but 6-8 weeks (normally) to process an amended form so don't worry about it crossing

[Happy prose]

Great, thank you much!

[Happy prose]

Ombud Just checked, and he has nothing entered for tax paid. Can I alter this form with whiteout and pen? Preparer signed it. Or do I have to go back to Block? (Again)

OR, being the amended form doesn't say I paid, should I not mail the check and just send in the amendment? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to do the right thing!

[Ombud]

You cannot alter it. Are you saying he said to mail check - wait 2 weeks - mail form AND HE DID NOT ADD MAILED CHECK TO AMT PD? If you blow it (HR BLOCK actually made a small error) the state will do 1 of 2 things:
1. Bill you
2. Subtract it from the amended refund and send an explanation

[Happy prose]

Athats right. No mention of payment on amemded form. It was amended only two days after initial return efiled, so we have not mailed the check with payment voucher. Do you think I should just send amended, no check, being no payment was recorded?

[Happy prose]

^ the refund amount on amended form is what we should get back, $195. If I mail check for $110, refund should be $305, which it doesnt say anywhere.

[Value Buy]

Mar 21, 2016 14:15:57 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

^ the refund amount on amended form is what we should get back, $195. If I mail check for $110, refund should be $305, which it doesnt say anywhere.

It probably does not have to.
The IRS will send a notice telling you of the over payment if everything goes correctly.

Good thing we did not file early this year. We are wintering in Florida, and have the post office forwarding our mail here.
Just received two pieces last week covering stock sales last year, with the long term and short term profit/loss report.
And no, the post office was not a month and a half behind the post date on the envelope in sending it down here.

[Happy prose]

So Value Buy, you think we should mail check, then mail amended form that doesnt state we paid? I have no problem doing that, as long as State will know they really owe me $305!

[Ombud]

Let's back up 1 minute.

Does the form properly reflect taxes paid? That's the real question. If so, you're fine mailing it without pymt. If mailing it without pymt makes an additional error, they'll catch it and deduct from refund due.

But dn you say HR BLOCK tax clerk said to mail check? Are you now having as little confidence in him as the rest of us?

[Happy prose]

Ok-
1. The amended form does not say taxes paid. He just changed the amount of withholding, by adding the third W2 that he missed.

2. He did say mail check, but the correction was made only two days after the incorrect one was efiled, so I didn't drop it in the mailbox yet. 

3. I have zero confidence in this man. (Main reason why my husband checked his figures when we got home) Even less faith after the amendment, because he was really scattered that day.

So, I have both envelopes, one including a check. Is it okay to mail both being the second form doesn't mention the payment? Will State figure out refund should be $305, and not $195 that the amended form states? 

Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it!

[Happy prose]

Wait! I'm just re-reading your post. In the forst Q, you ask does it properly reflect taxes paid. Yes it now does, but does not mention the first form that said we owe $110. Still ok to mail without payment?

[Value Buy]

Mar 21, 2016 17:53:57 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

Ok-
1. The amended form does not say taxes paid. He just changed the amount of withholding, by adding the third W2 that he missed.

2. He did say mail check, but the correction was made only two days after the incorrect one was efiled, so I didn't drop it in the mailbox yet. 

3. I have zero confidence in this man. (Main reason why my husband checked his figures when we got home) Even less faith after the amendment, because he was really scattered that day.

So, I have both envelopes, one including a check. Is it okay to mail both being the second form doesn't mention the payment? Will State figure out refund should be $305, and not $195 that the amended form states? 

Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it!

Why zero confidence in the H&R person?
Who failed to turn in all the info in the first place?
You do not mention anything about the Federal tax, just your state tax return.
Both documents are also going to the IRS.
The state usually accepts the info turned into the IRS, thus New Jersey will figure it out based on the federal outcome.
If your federal tax refund changes because of this, do you owe federal taxes?
Trust me, if the IRS comes after money from a mistake on a previous year's mistake, the state is not far behind doing the same thing.
This is one area where states work well with the Federal Government.

[Ombud]

Sounds like he skipped one box on 1 W2. Just the state tax, federal is fine. If that's the case then federal amended wouldn't be done

Bottom lining this & going slowly in dialog style:

Is this the case?

Is the state withholding amount now correct??

What amount does it say you overpaid (AKA: overwithheld)?

[Happy prose]

Mar 21, 2016 18:25:09 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Mar 21, 2016 17:53:57 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

Ok-
1. The amended form does not say taxes paid. He just changed the amount of withholding, by adding the third W2 that he missed.

2. He did say mail check, but the correction was made only two days after the incorrect one was efiled, so I didn't drop it in the mailbox yet. 

3. I have zero confidence in this man. (Main reason why my husband checked his figures when we got home) Even less faith after the amendment, because he was really scattered that day.

So, I have both envelopes, one including a check. Is it okay to mail both being the second form doesn't mention the payment? Will State figure out refund should be $305, and not $195 that the amended form states? 

Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it!

Why zero confidence in the H&R person?
Who failed to turn in all the info in the first place?
You do not mention anything about the Federal tax, just your state tax return.
Both documents are also going to the IRS.
The state usually accepts the info turned into the IRS, thus New Jersey will figure it out based on the federal outcome.
If your federal tax refund changes because of this, do you owe federal taxes?
Trust me, if the IRS comes after money from a mistake on a previous year's mistake, the state is not far behind doing the same thing.
This is one area where states work well with the Federal Government.

We didn't fail to turn in anything! He had three W2s in front of him, and only added two. When he went over the numbers, said $4k something withholding, we didn't catch that he was $311 off.  My federal taxes are fine, check mailed. 

[Happy prose]

Mar 21, 2016 18:30:26 GMT -5 Ombud said:

Sounds like he skipped one box on 1 W2. Just the state tax, federal is fine. If that's the case then federal amended wouldn't be done

Bottom lining this & going slowly in dialog style:

Is this the case?

Is the state withholding amount now correct??

What amount does it say you overpaid (AKA: overwithheld)?

The amended form now says I overpaid $195, which is correct. First form had me owing, which is incorrect. Can I mail the correct amended form without the payment for the incorrect one?

[Value Buy]

Mar 21, 2016 18:40:07 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

Mar 21, 2016 18:25:09 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Why zero confidence in the H&R person?
Who failed to turn in all the info in the first place?
You do not mention anything about the Federal tax, just your state tax return.
Both documents are also going to the IRS.
The state usually accepts the info turned into the IRS, thus New Jersey will figure it out based on the federal outcome.
If your federal tax refund changes because of this, do you owe federal taxes?
Trust me, if the IRS comes after money from a mistake on a previous year's mistake, the state is not far behind doing the same thing.
This is one area where states work well with the Federal Government.

We didn't fail to turn in anything! He had three W2s in front of him, and only added two. When he went over the numbers, said $4k something withholding, we didn't catch that he was $311 off.  My federal taxes are fine, check mailed. 

I read your original post as meaning your husband failed to turn in the w-2. Sorry about that.
Does that mean that H&R computer system does not carry over info from Federal tax return to state return automatically?
If true, H&R Block is truly a piece of garbage.
Turbo tax carries the info over, and if you fail to put in the same info from federal return for the state income and withholding, it asks if you are missing something.

[Ombud]

Mar 21, 2016 18:42:05 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

Mar 21, 2016 18:30:26 GMT -5 Ombud said:

Sounds like he skipped one box on 1 W2. Just the state tax, federal is fine. If that's the case then federal amended wouldn't be done

Bottom lining this & going slowly in dialog style:

Is this the case?

Is the state withholding amount now correct??

What amount does it say you overpaid (AKA: overwithheld)?

The amended form now says I overpaid $195, which is correct. First form had me owing, which is incorrect. Can I mail the correct amended form without the payment for the incorrect one?

If you are in California, the answer is yes. Sac will correct the amended form if they deemed necessary. Other states operate similarly but some have a longer timeline. Anticipate getting a letter from them at any rate in about 8+ weeks. I'm sorry you're going thru this.

Rangerj is correct that you don't need to rush out to do this

[TheOtherMe]

It carries it over at H&R Block.  I know because I once worked there and my BIL has worked there for over 20 years. 

However, if the information was not entered on the state line for withholding correctly, it won't be there on any tax software.

[TheOtherMe]

Once you get this straightened out, I would go back to Block if they charged you for an amended return.  He screwed up.  You shouldn't have to pay a fee to them for his mistake.

[Happy prose]

Mar 21, 2016 18:47:22 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Mar 21, 2016 18:40:07 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

We didn't fail to turn in anything! He had three W2s in front of him, and only added two. When he went over the numbers, said $4k something withholding, we didn't catch that he was $311 off.  My federal taxes are fine, check mailed. 

I read your original post as meaning your husband failed to turn in the w-2. Sorry about that.
Does that mean that H&R computer system does not carry over info from Federal tax return to state return automatically?
If true, H&R Block is truly a piece of garbage.
Turbo tax carries the info over, and if you fail to put in the same info from federal return for the state income and withholding, it asks if you are missing something.

Not sure if it carries over, but yes, truly a piece of garbage! Our numbers are quite different on federal and state due to 457, health isn, etc. not sure if that makes a difference. But the system did not pick up the error on State.

[Happy prose]

Mar 21, 2016 18:53:05 GMT -5 Ombud said:

Mar 21, 2016 18:42:05 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

The amended form now says I overpaid $195, which is correct. First form had me owing, which is incorrect. Can I mail the correct amended form without the payment for the incorrect one?

If you are in California, the answer is yes. Sac will correct the amended form if they deemed necessary. Other states operate similarly but some have a longer timeline. Anticipate getting a letter from them at any rate in about 8+ weeks. I'm sorry you're going thru this.

Rangerj is correct that you don't need to rush out to do this

Nope, New Jersey. So I'm sending in amended form, no check. What is this letter going to say/for?

[Ombud]

The problem with HR BLOCK is not only with the preparers (some good, some not) but they've also had software issues. 2013 = omitted tuition deductions. 2014 = messed up basis. 3015 = Issues with Gainskeeper downloads. A lot of preparers knew the work arounds. Others only knew what box to put it in. That's what happens when you don't require annual education. That's what the RTRP program was supposed to fix. Make all states comply to the rules in CA (& what Oregon used to be -- downgraded to only 80 hrs)

[Happy prose]

Mar 21, 2016 18:55:55 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Once you get this straightened out, I would go back to Block if they charged you for an amended return.  He screwed up.  You shouldn't have to pay a fee to them for his mistake.

No, he didn't charge me for the amended form, just the incorrect original. 

[Ombud]

Mar 21, 2016 19:03:19 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

Mar 21, 2016 18:53:05 GMT -5 Ombud said:

If you are in California, the answer is yes. Sac will correct the amended form if they deemed necessary. Other states operate similarly but some have a longer timeline. Anticipate getting a letter from them at any rate in about 8+ weeks. I'm sorry you're going thru this.

Rangerj is correct that you don't need to rush out to do this

Nope, New Jersey. So I'm sending in amended form, no check. What is this letter going to say/for?

Recognizing the amended form & if any additional corrections were needed.

[Happy prose]

Ok, thanks everyone! I'll update this thread at a later date and let you all know how this pans out. Wish me luck.