Will amended tax return refund come as direct deposit or paper check after code 846?

The IRS typically issues amended return refunds as paper checks, even if you received your original refund via direct deposit. This is their standard procedure for most amended returns (Form 1040-X). The code 846 on your transcript does indicate a refund has been approved and is being issued, but it doesn't specify the delivery method. In most cases, the IRS defaults to paper checks for amended returns as an additional security measure and to maintain separation between original and amended processing systems. You should expect to receive a paper check in the mail within about 2-3 weeks from the date on your 846 code. Unfortunately, there's no way to change this to direct deposit at this point in the process.

After going through the same frustrating situation last year, I found an amazing tool that actually analyzes your tax transcript and tells you exactly what's happening with your refund, including whether it's coming by direct deposit or check. I used https://taxr.ai and it saved me so much confusion! I uploaded my transcript and it instantly broke down all those cryptic codes and told me my refund was coming by paper check despite having the 846 code. It even predicted the delivery date which was spot on.

Just wanted to follow up - I was skeptical about taxr.ai but decided to try it anyway since I was going crazy waiting for my amended return. It was actually really helpful! I uploaded my transcript and it immediately told me my refund was coming as a paper check despite having direct deposit for my original return. It even showed me that there was a slight adjustment to my refund amount that I hadn't noticed. Got my check in the mail exactly when the tool predicted. Definitely helped ease my anxiety about the whole process!

If you're having trouble reaching the IRS to confirm how your refund is being sent, I'd recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in the exact same position last month with an amended return and spent DAYS trying to get through to the IRS with no luck. Claimyr got me connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes who confirmed my refund was coming as a paper check. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - totally changed my perspective on dealing with the IRS.

Holy crap I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment I figured what the hell, I've wasted enough time trying to call IRS myself. Used the service and got a call back in 22 minutes with an actual IRS agent on the line! The agent confirmed my amended return refund was coming as a paper check and even gave me the exact mail date. Saved me days of frustration and now I at least know what to expect. Sometimes being proven wrong is actually a good thing lol.

Just a heads up that in rare cases, the IRS will actually direct deposit an amended return refund. It happened to me last year. Everyone told me I'd get a paper check, but the money showed up in my account about 3 days after I got the 846 code. I think it depends on how you filed the amended return and maybe which service center processed it. If you used tax software to e-file the amendment, there's a slightly better chance of direct deposit.

The IRS is so inconsistent with this stuff. My friend and I both filed amended returns around the same time last year, both for W2 corrections. She got a direct deposit and I got a stupid paper check that took like 2 additional weeks to arrive. When I called to ask why, the agent just said "that's how the system processed it" 🙄 There's no rhyme or reason sometimes.

I just went through this exact situation! Got my 846 code last week for an amended return and was stressing about the same thing. Ended up calling the IRS using one of those callback services mentioned here and the agent told me that while most amended refunds do come as paper checks, there's actually no way to know for certain until it's processed completely. She said to check my bank account for 3-5 business days after the 846 date, and if nothing shows up, then expect a paper check in 2-3 weeks. I'm still in the waiting phase but at least I have a timeline now. The uncertainty is the worst part of this whole process!

I've been through this exact situation multiple times with amended returns, and unfortunately the reality is that it's pretty much impossible to predict with certainty whether you'll get direct deposit or a paper check until it actually happens. The IRS systems for amended returns are completely separate from original returns, which is why even having direct deposit info on file doesn't guarantee anything. From my experience and talking to other people who've dealt with this, here's what I've observed: E-filed amendments through major tax software (TurboTax, H&R Block, FreeTaxUSA, etc.) seem to have a slightly higher chance of direct deposit, but it's still not the majority. Paper-filed amendments almost always result in paper checks. The processing center that handles your return also seems to matter - some centers appear more likely to issue direct deposits than others. The 846 code with a date is definitely good news though - it means your refund has been approved and is in the final processing stage. I'd recommend checking your bank account daily for about a week after the 846 date, then start watching your mailbox if nothing appears electronically. Either way, you should have your money within 2-3 weeks max from that 846 date.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Got my 846 code on Monday and have been checking my bank account obsessively every few hours. Based on all the responses here, it sounds like it's really a coin flip whether it comes as direct deposit or paper check for amended returns, even if you e-filed. I used TaxAct to e-file my amendment back in January (had to correct some 1099 income that was missing), so I'm cautiously optimistic about maybe getting direct deposit based on what some people mentioned about e-filed amendments having better odds. But I'm definitely preparing myself mentally for a paper check since that seems to be the most common outcome. The uncertainty is killing me! I think I'm going to follow the advice about checking my bank account for about a week, then start obsessively checking my mailbox instead. At least knowing other people are going through the same stress makes me feel a bit better about the whole situation. This whole amended return process has been way more stressful than I expected when I first realized I needed to file one.

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now too! Just got my 846 code yesterday for an amended return I filed in February. The waiting and uncertainty is so stressful - I keep going back and forth between checking my bank account and trying to prepare myself for a paper check. From everything I've read here and elsewhere, it really seems like there's no reliable way to predict which method the IRS will use for amended refunds. Even the IRS agents seem to give different answers when people call. I filed my amendment electronically through H&R Block, so I'm holding onto a tiny bit of hope for direct deposit based on what some people mentioned about e-filed amendments having slightly better odds. I think I'm going to follow the advice about monitoring my bank account for about a week, then shift my focus to watching for mail if nothing shows up electronically. At least the 846 code means the refund is approved and on its way - that's something! The uncertainty is definitely the worst part of this whole process, but knowing I'm not alone in dealing with this stress helps a bit.

I'm currently going through this same nerve-wracking situation! Got my 846 code on Tuesday and have been alternating between checking my bank account every few hours and trying to mentally prepare for a paper check. I filed my amended return through TaxSlayer back in December for some corrected employer information. From reading all these responses, it's clear that even the IRS doesn't seem to have a consistent process for how amended refunds are delivered. The fact that some people get direct deposit while others get paper checks, even with similar circumstances, is so frustrating! I think the advice about monitoring your bank account for about a week after the 846 date is solid - that seems to be the consensus from people who've actually been through this. I'm going to try that approach and then shift to watching for mail if nothing appears electronically. The uncertainty is definitely the hardest part, but at least we know the refund is approved and coming one way or another!

I'm going through this exact same stressful situation right now! Just received my 846 code this morning for an amended return I filed back in January through TurboTax (had to correct some missing 1099-INT income). Like everyone else here, I'm torn between obsessively checking my bank account and trying to prepare myself mentally for a paper check. Reading through all these experiences has been both helpful and frustrating - it's clear the IRS doesn't have any consistent logic for how they handle amended return refunds. Some people with e-filed amendments get direct deposit, others get paper checks, and there doesn't seem to be any reliable way to predict which you'll get. I think I'm going to follow the advice several people mentioned about monitoring my bank account for about a week after the 846 date, then switching my focus to watching for mail if nothing appears electronically. I've set up mobile banking alerts so I'll know immediately if anything hits my account rather than checking manually every hour. The uncertainty is definitely the most stressful part of this whole process, but it's reassuring to see so many people in the same boat. At least having that 846 code means we're all in the final stretch - whether it comes as direct deposit or paper check, the money is definitely on its way!

I'm currently in the exact same stressful situation as everyone else here! Just got my 846 code yesterday for an amended return I e-filed through TaxAct back in February (had to correct some stock sale information from a revised 1099-B). The uncertainty about whether it'll be direct deposit or paper check is driving me absolutely crazy! After reading through all these experiences, it's both comforting and frustrating to see how inconsistent the IRS is with amended refunds. It really does seem like a complete coin flip regardless of how you filed or which software you used. Some people get lucky with direct deposit, others wait weeks for paper checks, and there's no way to predict which camp you'll fall into. I'm going to follow the solid advice I've seen repeated here - monitor my bank account for about a week after the 846 date, then shift focus to watching for mail if nothing appears electronically. I've already set up mobile banking alerts so I can stop obsessively refreshing my account every hour! The 846 code at least gives us hope that we're in the final stretch. Whether it's a pleasant direct deposit surprise in the next few days or a paper check in a couple weeks, at least we know our refunds are approved and on the way. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it really helps to know we're all in this stressful waiting game together!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Got my 846 code on Wednesday for an amended return I e-filed through H&R Block in December (had to correct some cryptocurrency transactions that weren't reported properly). The stress of not knowing whether it's coming as direct deposit or paper check is honestly worse than waiting for the 846 code in the first place! After reading through everyone's experiences here, it's clear that the IRS has zero consistency with amended refunds. People with identical situations are getting completely different delivery methods, which is so frustrating when you're trying to plan your finances. I keep going back and forth between hope (since I e-filed) and preparing for disappointment (since paper checks seem more common). I'm definitely going to follow the advice about monitoring my bank account for a week after the 846 date, then switching to mailbox stalking mode if nothing shows up. I've set up those mobile alerts too so I can try to maintain what's left of my sanity instead of refreshing my banking app every 20 minutes! It's oddly reassuring to see so many people dealing with this same uncertainty. At least we all have our 846 codes now, so whether it's a direct deposit surprise or a paper check in a few weeks, the money is definitely coming. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread has been more helpful than anything I could find on the IRS website!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! Just got my 846 code this morning for an amended return I e-filed through Credit Karma Tax back in February (had to correct some education credit calculations). The uncertainty about whether it'll come as direct deposit or paper check is absolutely driving me insane! After reading through all these experiences, it's both reassuring and frustrating to see how completely random the IRS seems to be with amended refunds. It really does appear to be a total coin flip regardless of how you filed or which service you used. I'm trying to stay cautiously optimistic since I e-filed, but I'm definitely mentally preparing for the more likely paper check scenario. I think the strategy of monitoring bank accounts for about a week after the 846 date before switching to mailbox mode makes the most sense based on everyone's advice here. I've already set up mobile banking alerts so I can stop compulsively checking my account every hour and preserve what's left of my sanity! It's oddly comforting to know so many people are going through this same stressful waiting game. At least having that 846 code means we're all in the final stretch - whether it's a pleasant direct deposit surprise or a paper check in a couple weeks, the money is definitely on its way. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this thread has been way more helpful than anything on the IRS website!