Should I amend my NY unemployment tax return myself or wait for IRS refund assessment?

Hang tight. The IRS is still processing unemployment tax refunds from 2025 returns, and they're going chronologically but also by complexity. Single filers with no dependents are supposed to be first, but that doesn't mean immediate. They've been saying 6-8 weeks for simple returns, but many people are waiting 10-12 weeks. If you amend now, you'll likely create a duplicate refund situation that will be even more complicated to resolve later. Check your transcript on the IRS website rather than the refund status - it'll show if they've scheduled an adjustment.

Thank you! I didn't realize I could check my transcript instead of just the refund status. I'll try looking there. Do I need to create some special account to see that?

i got mine last week and i filed back in febuary. single no kids. took like 11 weeks total. dont amend!!

That's good to hear! Gives me some hope. Did you get any notification before it arrived or did it just show up?

DONT AMEND!!! I did that last year and it was a NIGHTMARE!!! Ended up with the IRS sending me letters about owing them money when they actually owed ME! Took 8 months to sort out and I had to call them like 30 times. The system is totally broken and amending just makes it worse. They'll get to it eventually.

Oh wow, that sounds awful! Definitely don't want to go through that. I'll just keep waiting then.

I work as a tax preparer, and I can tell you with certainty that amending your return to adjust for the unemployment tax exclusion is not the right approach. The IRS has specifically stated they will automatically adjust returns and issue refunds for taxpayers who filed before the American Rescue Plan Act provisions were implemented in the system.\n\nHere's what you should know:\n1. The IRS is processing these in phases, but single filers should be among the first\n2. You'll receive either a direct deposit or check depending on how you originally filed\n3. You should receive a letter approximately 30 days after the adjustment explaining the changes\n\nIf it's been more than 12 weeks since you filed, then it might be worth contacting the IRS to inquire, but amending now will almost certainly cause complications.

Thank you for the detailed explanation! I filed about 9 weeks ago, so I guess I should wait a bit longer before getting too worried. Is there any way to check if they've started processing my adjustment specifically?

I waited 14 weeks last year and was going crazy trying to get through to the IRS. Kept getting busy signals or disconnected after waiting on hold forever. Finally used Claimyr.com to get through to an agent. They have a system that waits on hold for you and calls when an agent picks up. Saved me hours of frustration. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE\n\nThe agent confirmed they were still processing my unemployment tax adjustment and it was

I've never heard of that service before. Might be worth it if I end up needing to call them. Did you have to give them a lot of personal information to use it?

Not really - you just enter the phone number you want them to call you back on when they get an agent. You still talk directly to the IRS yourself. It just saves you from having to sit on hold for hours. Totally worth it for my sanity!

anyone know if this applies if u worked part time while getting unemployment?? i did both last year and already filed. super confused if ill get anything back or not

Yes, it still applies. The unemployment tax exclusion is based on your unemployment compensation regardless of whether you had other income. However, the amount you might get back depends on your total income and tax situation. The IRS should automatically calculate it for you.

I'm in the same boat!!!! Filed in early March and still nothing!!! The IRS is completely useless and can't even follow their own timeline. I was told single filers would be first and it's been almost 3 months for me. Every time I try calling I can't get through. The whole system is designed to make us give up I swear.\n\nHas ANYONE actually received their unemployment tax refund yet??? Or are they just telling us we will to keep us quiet??

yeah i got mine last week like i said above. just gotta be patient i guess

How much did you get back if you don't mind me asking? I'm trying to figure out if this is even worth the wait.

One more thing to check - log into your IRS account online and look at your tax transcript. Look for a code 971 (Notice Issued) and 290 (Additional Tax Assessed) or 846 (Refund Issued). These will indicate they've processed or are processing your unemployment tax adjustment. Many people see these codes appear before they actually receive their refund.

Thanks for this tip! I just created an account and checked my transcript. I don't see any of those codes yet, but at least now I know what to look for. Will keep checking weekly.

btw my refund was like $1,100 from the unemployment tax thing. came separate from my regular refund

That's a pretty decent amount! Definitely worth waiting for. Thanks for sharing that info.

My sister amended her return instead of waiting and ended up getting AUDITED!!! Not saying that will happen to everyone but why risk it??

Seriously??? That's terrifying. The IRS is so inconsistent it's maddening. Some people get audited for no reason while others cheat the system for years with no consequences.

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I've decided to be patient and NOT amend my return. I created an account to check my tax transcript as suggested and will keep an eye on it for those codes. It's been about 9 weeks since I filed, so I'll give it another month before I consider calling the IRS. Really appreciate all the insights!

That's the right approach. Most people are getting their adjustments, it's just taking longer than the IRS initially suggested. Keep us posted when you receive yours!