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That happened to me, exactly as you said. I didn't amend anything and never heard from anyone about the change. For what it's worth... It just didn't make sense to back up the truck when it didn't matter. Kind of like "Whose line is it, anyway" where the points don't matter.

Wow! I was adjusting 37K down to $25K. Compared to yours, mine is little more than a rounding error.

I’ve also had to correct a loss carry forward and just kept a detailed note in the file. Never came up.

How does the IRS know what caused the change in numbers? I get it that the exercise seems bothersome - but I would amend just to put any questions to rest. I can think of a myriad of items that might affect that carryover - some of which may affect other items on the return and some that may even cause a tax liability. If I do not tell the IRS about it, they could assume something that is not accurate. It may never come up - but then it may come up tomorrow. I would amend and put it to rest. Or - at the very minimum, a statement should have been attached to the 2017 return explaining the difference between 2016 ending and 2017 beginning numbers. Just my 2 cents.

One of my clients called earlier today. Her Mom passed away in 2017 and she (daughter) was the one who gathered all the tax info to deliver to their preparer because her Dad never did paperwork and at 85, wasn't about to start. She said there were a few questions she was able to answer and all was well. Until the refund check came payable to "Karen Smith" which is her first name but not her last name. For the record? Neither name is even real. Confidentiality and all that. She called the preparer who said "we'll fix the file going forward but just cash the check and give the money to your Dad." He's not her Dad. He's her stepfather and the name on the check is not a name she's ever been known by. It's her first name and her stepfather's surname. She wasn't willing to endorse. Thank you - I have a client with integrity...........Who knew? The preparer is asking for a POA to be able to discuss with IRS which I told her was okay for Dad (Stepdad) to sign. I also vented and told her how useless it was to check the box to allow the preparer to discuss the return. But my software is relentless. If not a surviving spouse claiming the refund then I have to jump through all kinds of hoops to make it happen. Not ATX. I use Lacerte. How and why did IRS issue a refund to a person who isn't real? I mean.....she's real. She's been his "daughter" for 50 years but they never shared a name. The preparer never asked for her SSN. I can't continue without it. I told her to review the copy of the return and specifically, the 1310. Just venting..................:)

Jack is right on target. There's more to this, and you're buying a problem by getting involved at any level. Keep pushing her back to the original preparer to explain and correct. That's what they were paid to do. Speculation is just adding to the confusion.

This does not sound like your problem to correct. DON'T get in the middle of this. Send her to the "professional" that did the return. RUN AWAY. There is more here than she is telling you. RUN FAST!!

I may be suffering post tax season short term memory loss, but I don't seem to recall that apologizing is part of the ATX Playbook ?

(wrong quote. See next message)

My client was new to me when it happened. He had over $200k in losses, even after my adjustment. He had been doing it himself and double-hit a figure on year, sending the losses in to 6 figures. I don't recall the exact numbers, but mine was sure not to lift an eyebrow. It reduced his losses which were still unimaginable. That was about 8 years ago. Never a mention from the IRS.

I'll chime in too - there is something else going on. Think LONG and HARD before getting involved. If you decide yes, get a retainer up front.

This scenario doesn't make sense. What names were used on the head of the tax return, and who signed the e-file authorization forms for the preparer to e-file, if the return was e-filed? So what I'm asking is HOW did the IRS know to issue a refund to a fake name?

Yeah, I feel like many of us dodged a bullet with this one.

No, you aren't alone. If feels just like the day after the last final exam. Sort of a letdown after all that work. Where's the parade? Hubby and I go to a special vacation spot every year after tax season. Takes me about three days before I'm really in the vacationy, beachy, boozy, (dare I say sexy) swing of the whole thing. I think it's important to take a vacation after working so hard. If I just stay at home and try to relax, I feel the same dejection and emptiness you seem to be describing. Have an adventure!