How can I fix a problem with my Tax Refund?

Question

Ok so I'm 17 and my mom still does all my taxes for me but I'm pretty sure she messed up on my refund which this is the first year I'm getting one...

I have some very large bank accounts that are collecting interest which is considered income, each year she only accounts for that income but this last summer I had a job as a cashier at a local grocery store and made quite a bit of taxed money. When she filed my taxes this year she ignored that income and only accounted for the bank interest therefore leaving me with a much smaller refund.

I have already gotten the check and I know that if refiled properly I should get about $150 more so it is worth my time to worry about this...

My question is how do I go about fixing this? Can it even be done? I've always been told as long as you don't owe the government money its not too late.

Thanks for all your help!

Answer 1

You need to file an amended return on a form 1040X showing ALL of your income, the interest AND the job income.  If the interest for the year is over $1700, special rules might apply in calculating your tax.

Answer 2

Go to the IRS website,,, you can get your answer there.. BTW,, remember this word for next year...  TURBOTAX!

Answer 3

You need to fill out a form called a 1040X (revised 1040 form). In order to do that, you'll need a copy of the 1040 your mom filed for you, and a copy of your W2 form from your job showing all the numbers that your mom should have entered on the form she submitted. You'll just have to do the addition and subtraction to determine what your refund actually should have been, and then send the form in to the IRS.

It won't happen quickly ... but they *will* eventually process your revised return and send you the rest of what they owe you.

Answer 4

The form you want is a 1040x.

Be advised, if you are a dependent, whether you get a refund or not depends on your total income, how much was from interest and how much was withheld on the W-2.

You could easily OWE money.

Unless you made estimated tax payments on that investment income, you shouldn't have gotten a refund.  

Keep in mind that as a dependent, your standard deduction is between $850 and $5350.  The float is your wages plus $300.  So your standard deduction is $2950.  If your interest income was more than $300, you will OWE.