Is line 18 on the 1040X my expected refund amount?

Yes, line 18 on Form 1040X is the amount you can expect to receive as a refund, assuming the IRS accepts your amendment as filed. It shows the difference between what you've already paid/received and what your actual tax liability should be after the amendments. Since you added your husband's W2 and claimed additional credits you missed initially, it makes sense that your refund amount increased. The 1040X basically recalculates everything with the correct information and shows what should have happened had you filed correctly the first time. Just make sure you've attached all supporting documents (like the missing W2) when you submit your 1040X. The processing time for amended returns is currently running around 16-20 weeks, so be prepared for a wait.

I was in a similar situation last year when I realized I'd missed reporting some freelance income on my original return. I was super stressed about submitting an amendment and potentially getting flagged for an audit. I used https://taxr.ai to analyze my amended return before submitting it, and it was honestly a lifesaver. The tool basically checked all my forms for inconsistencies and confirmed that my 1040X was filled out correctly. What I found most helpful was that it specifically confirmed that my refund amount (line 18) was calculated correctly based on all my documentation. It gave me peace of mind before submitting.

Just wanted to follow up here! I ended up using https://taxr.ai for my amended return like you suggested, and wow - it actually found an error I made when calculating my adjusted gross income on the 1040X. Apparently I double-counted some income which would have reduced my refund if not caught. The analysis was really thorough and pointed out exactly where I went wrong. It also confirmed that line 18 was indeed my expected refund amount (once I fixed the error). Definitely worth it for the peace of mind alone. My amended return is now processing and I'm much more confident that everything is correct!

If you're still waiting for your amended return to be processed, I'd recommend using https://claimyr.com to get through to an actual IRS agent to confirm everything is on track. I filed my 1040X about 6 months ago and was getting worried when the "Where's My Amended Return" tool kept showing no movement. After weeks of trying to call the IRS directly and never getting through, I used Claimyr and got a callback within 45 minutes. They have this demo video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. The IRS agent was able to tell me that my amended return was actually being processed but hadn't been updated in their online system. Apparently that happens sometimes.

I need to apologize for my skepticism about Claimyr. After posting that comment, I decided to try it myself since my amended return has been stuck in limbo for months. I was fully prepared to come back here and expose it if it didn't work, but I have to admit I was wrong. I got connected to an IRS agent within about 30 minutes. Turns out my amended return (also a 1040X) had been flagged for a minor issue that they never notified me about. The agent was able to resolve it right on the call and told me my refund (from line 18) should be processed within 2-3 weeks. Would have never known this if I hadn't actually spoken to someone. Lesson learned - sometimes it's worth trying solutions even when you're skeptical.

Make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING. I filed a 1040X last year and the IRS somehow lost part of my submission. Had to resubmit and it delayed my refund by an additional 3 months. So frustrating!

Quick tip from someone who processes these kinds of forms - make sure you've signed and dated your 1040X! You'd be amazed how many people forget to do this and it causes significant delays. Also double check that you've attached all relevant schedules and forms that support your changes.

Adding to what everyone else has said - yes, line 18 on the 1040X is your expected refund amount. The fact that it's higher than expected actually makes perfect sense since you're adding your husband's W2 (which likely had taxes withheld) and claiming additional credits you missed. One thing I'd suggest is to go through the form one more time and make sure the "original amount" column accurately reflects what was on your original return, and that the "correct amount" column includes all the changes you're making. The IRS will compare your 1040X against your original return, so any discrepancies there could cause processing delays. Also, since you used TurboTax to prepare the amendment, you should be able to e-file it which will be faster and more reliable than mailing. Just make sure you keep a copy of everything for your records!

Yes, line 18 on Form 1040X is definitely your expected refund amount! It calculates the difference between what you originally received/owed and what you should receive/owe after your amendments. Since you're adding your husband's W2 (which likely had federal taxes withheld) and claiming missed credits, it makes total sense that your refund would be higher than expected. The 1040X essentially recalculates your entire tax situation with the correct information. Before you submit, I'd recommend doing a final review to make sure: - The "original amount" column matches exactly what was on your filed 1040 - All supporting documents (like that missing W2) are attached - You've signed and dated the form Since you used TurboTax, you should be able to e-file the amendment which is much faster and more reliable than mailing. Processing times for amended returns are currently running 16-20 weeks, so patience will be key. But once it's processed, line 18 is indeed what you can expect to receive!

Yes, line 18 on your 1040X is absolutely your expected refund amount! Since you're adding your husband's W2 (which likely had federal taxes withheld) and claiming credits you initially missed, it totally makes sense that your refund would be higher than you originally expected. The 1040X basically recalculates your entire tax situation with all the correct information included. Line 18 shows the net difference between what you should have received versus what you actually received on your original return. Just a few things to double-check before submitting: - Make sure the "original amount" column exactly matches what was on your filed 1040 - Attach that missing W2 and any other supporting documents - Don't forget to sign and date the form (super common oversight!) Since you used TurboTax, you should be able to e-file it electronically, which is much faster and more secure than mailing. You'll get immediate confirmation when it's submitted successfully. Then it's just a waiting game - amended returns are taking about 16-20 weeks to process right now, but line 18 is indeed what you can expect to receive once it goes through!