We efiled return, client sent in a paper copy. What will happen now?

[jeanmarc]

There was a confusion. We efiled a return and the client went ahead and dropped the return in the mail too. What would happen in a situation like this if the electronic return is accepted and the IRS receives the paper copy afterward?

[sjrcpa · Accepted solution]

They'll disregard the paper copy. They might even send it back.

[abctax55]

Susan is probably right...altho I did have the same thing happen several years ago, on a C-corp return.  The client received a notice from the IRS, wanting payment *again*.  I wrote a letter and the issue was easily resolved.  You might want to tell the client it could happen & to let you know if there's any IRS correspondence.

[jeanmarc]

Thanks! Will do. In this case he's getting a refund. Something tells me they won't make that mistake the other way around (send him his refund twice).

[abctax55]

They could...it is the IRS after all.
Forewarn your client to NOT cash that check if it does happen (altho I don't know what you do if it's direct deposit...).
My case was years ago AND a C-corp return AND they owed.  Different fact pattern, plus they've tightened things up a lot.   I bet nothing comes of it, but let us know.  OK?

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

I guess this is why some preparers DO put a watermark on the client copy that says DO NOT MAIL.  
I staple my client copies into a booklet, they don't have any copy that they could accidentally mail in.

[abctax55]

Mine are stapled in, AND conspicuously stamped in the signature area as "Client Copy".  Yet they mailed it, and the ITS processed it.  Sigh... you can only foolproof stuff so much.

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

:joy: