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New Member
posted Apr 7, 2025 6:15:15 AM

Hi, I was wondering why my tax refunds have been so little. Last year I made 20,765 and my federal refunds was 25 and my Georgia refund was 151

0 2 598
2 Replies
Level 15
Apr 7, 2025 6:32:44 AM

Actually that sounds like you are doing things really well.  Instead of giving the government an interest - free loan all year to get your money back as a refund, you have had just enough withheld from your paychecks to take care of your tax liability  with the IRS and state, and get small refunds.   "Big" refunds are the result of either having more than necessary withheld from your paychecks or from having refundable credits.   If you are single with no dependents, the first $14,600 of your income was "tax free" and you are taxed on around $6100 of your income.  Sounds like enough was withheld to cover the tax you owe the government for that.

Expert Alumni
Apr 7, 2025 6:43:00 AM

Unless you qualify for credits, your refunds are based on how much money you've paid in during the tax year. It sounds like you're only paying what you owe. To get a bigger refund, you'd have to take home smaller paychecks.