I do not know the exact
reason that the IRS did not refund the amount that you were expecting to
receive, but one common reason that could have resulted in your refund
being lower than you expected, is that your refund was reduced by the
government, either to correct a calculation error or through a refund offset. A refund offset is when an IRS refund is
reduced or intercepted to pay off delinquent debt, such as past-due child
support, outstanding student loans, or unpaid state income tax.
You will receive a notice in the mail if an
offset occurs. The notice will include the original tax refund amount and your
offset amount. It will also include the agency receiving the offset payment and
that agency’s contact information.
If you believe you do not owe the debt or you want to
dispute the amount taken from your refund, you should contact the agency that
received the offset amount.
If you have questions regarding the
offset of your federal tax refund or offset of another U.S. government-issued
payment, you can call the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) Call Center to obtain
agency contact information during our customer service hours.
Have Questions about
an Offset?
- Toll
Free: 800-304-3107
- TDD
number: 866-297-0517
If you suspect your refund, or part of your refund, is being held, sometimes people make
progress contacting their local IRS center or a Taxpayer Advocate.
Please see the link below to find your local Taxpayer Assistance
Center.
https://apps.irs.gov/app/officeLocator/index.jsp
The link below will offer your more guidance on Taxpayer
Advocates.
https://www.irs.gov/Advocate
If some of the refund that you
were expecting was from your state tax refund, you may wish to contact
your State Department of Revenue to determine if they have offset your refund
(kept some for a debt they feel you owe).
Please see the following TurboTax FAQ and click your state to
open their contact page.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3302452
