Filed 2024 Taxes Using 2023 W-2 by Mistake - Income Off by $2000

Filing the wrong W-2 is like putting diesel in a gas car - it's not going to run right no matter how much you hope it will. The IRS is pretty good at catching discrepancies, but they won't automatically know what your correct W-2 amounts should be. It's like expecting them to read your mind. You need to file an amended return (Form 1040-X) as soon as possible with the correct information.

Have you considered these important factors? • The IRS will likely flag your return during their automated matching process • Your employer already submitted your correct W-2 information to the IRS • The discrepancy will eventually trigger a notice (CP2000) if you don't fix it first • Filing an amended return proactively looks better than waiting for them to catch it Do you know if your return has been accepted yet or is it still processing?

The IRS won't automatically fix this. Their matching program will flag the discrepancy, but that typically doesn't happen until later in the year - around September 15th or so. By then, you could receive a CP2000 notice proposing changes to your tax return based on the information they have. You'll save yourself potential penalties and interest if you file an amended return (Form 1040-X) before June 15th. If you're expecting a refund from your original return, wait until you receive it before amending.

I would suggest perhaps waiting until your original return processes, then filing an amendment with the correct W-2. If you need to speak with the IRS about this situation, you might want to try Claimyr.com to get through to an agent quickly. I had a somewhat similar issue last year and spent hours trying to reach someone at the IRS. Claimyr got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes who confirmed exactly what I needed to do. It might be worth considering, especially if you're concerned about those medical bills and need clarity on the fastest way to resolve this.

The IRS definitely won't fix this automatically. They have millions of returns to process. They'll just assume you made a mistake and send you a bill for the difference plus penalties. You need to file an amended return ASAP. This is going to delay your refund by months. The IRS is completely overwhelmed right now.

I actually had a similar situation back in 2022 when I accidentally used my spouse's W-2 from the previous year. I panicked at first too! What I found was that you should wait until your original return is fully processed before filing the amendment. I called the IRS and they confirmed this approach. The agent explained that trying to fix it while it's still processing can create a bigger mess in their system. Once I got my (incorrect) refund, I filed the 1040-X with the right information and included a simple explanation of what happened.

Oh no, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! 😫 I know how stressful tax mistakes can be, especially when you're counting on that refund for medical bills. The IRS definitely won't automatically fix this - they'll eventually notice the discrepancy and send you a notice, but that could take months! You'll need to file a 1040-X amendment, but wait until your original return is processed first. The waiting is the hardest part, especially when you have those bills piling up. Hang in there! ❤️

Not to add more stress, but you might want to get on this ASAP! 😅 I did something similar last tax season (used the wrong 1099 form) and thought "eh, they'll figure it out." Narrator: They did not figure it out. Had to file an amended return anyway AND got hit with an accuracy-related penalty. The good news? If you file the amendment before they catch it, you're usually in the clear penalty-wise. My amendment took about 20 weeks to process though, so brace yourself for a wait!