Question

Why am I over $5,000 short on my federal return?

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
March 7, 2020
1 reply
0 views

I completed my taxes for state and federal on 02/20/2020, both state and federal returns got approved on 02/20/2020. I recieved my state return on 02/26/2020 direct deposit into my account in th

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VolvoGirl

Employee

Did the IRS send you less? They will mail a letter explaining what they changed on your return.

I would check over your return and see if you can see anything wrong especially in the payments section 1040 lines 17 & 18. Make sure you agree with all the amounts listed. Like is the difference the same or close to the refund you got last year? Maybe you put down that you applied last year's refund to this year? Or you put down you made a payment with an extension or paid an estimated payment that you didn't make?

A common error is showing an estimated payment 1040 line 18d you didn't make or payment with an extension you didn't send in. Sometimes people start in extension form on purpose or accidentally and an amount gets entered for a tax due to send in with the extension.

Or you claimed Excess Social Security paid on Schedule 3 line 11. That happens when you are married and enter both spouse's W2s under the same name.

X

xenadobson97Author

I have not received an mail from the IRS.
Both state and federal were approved the same day so none of what you are describing is what’s wrong because I triple checked every amount that I manually typed in, Yes I filed jointly but I did not put my name on my husbands w-2s and vice versa so that theory is out the window.
The difference is much higher this year due to having low income and having a child.
No I did none of that.

DoninGA

Employee

@xenadobson97 wrote:

I have not received an mail from the IRS.
Both state and federal were approved the same day so none of what you are describing is what’s wrong because I triple checked every amount that I manually typed in, Yes I filed jointly but I did not put my name on my husbands w-2s and vice versa so that theory is out the window.
The difference is much higher this year due to having low income and having a child.
No I did none of that.

Once a tax return has been Accepted by the IRS or a State, TurboTax receives no further information concerning the tax return or the status of any tax refund.

Go to this IRS website for federal tax refund FAQ's - https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

Why is my refund different than the amount on the tax return I filed?
All or part of your refund may have been used (offset) to pay off past-due federal tax, state income tax, state unemployment compensation debts, child support, spousal support, or other federal nontax debts, such as student loans. To find out if you may have an offset or if you have questions about an offset, contact the agency to which you owe the debt.

We also may have changed your refund amount because we made changes to your tax return. You’ll get a notice explaining the changes. Where’s My Refund? will reflect the reasons for the refund offset when it relates to a change in your tax return.

Tax Topic 203 - Refund Offsets for Unpaid Child Support, Certain Federal and State Debts, and Unemployment Compensation Debts has more information about refund offsets.