I only got half of my tax refund, may I ask why?

[mesquitebean]

We can tell you some things to check.

First of all, are you supposed to get both a Federal refund and a State refund?   If so, which one did you get?  They come in separate deposits.    So do not go by the total amount.    For a Federal refund, look at the amount on your Form 1040, Line 20a.

Did you have any TurboTax fees that you chose to pay out of the Federal refund, and are you taking that into account?  Also be aware there is an additional 39.99 service fee for that option (44.99 for California filers.)

If it was the IRS that reduced your refund, you should get a letter from them in about 3 weeks or so explaining why.

[SweetieJean]

How many dollars is "half"?

[wistukas1]

I mean my federal refund was 278$ which I assume should be direct deposited to my account and State taxes refund is 138$. I can only choose direct deposit because I’m not a citizen and It’s not possible to cash the check in my country. Also estimated refund date was 03/26

[mesquitebean]

You didn't answer most of my questions above.   So I'll ask them again.  Please answer all 3:

1)  So which refund did you get, and how much was it?  Did you get the state refund, or did you get a Federal refund that was less than expected?  Your bank account statement or online bank account should tell you who the payer was.  So who exactly was the refund from?

2)  Where did you get the estimated date of 3/26?  If that date was from TurboTax, that is only an estimate.  Or did you get the date from the IRS using this tool below?   Does this tool say the IRS has actually sent the funds?
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/Refunds">https://www.irs.gov/Refunds</a>

3)  How did you pay any TurboTax fees?   Did you pay with credit/debit card, or did you have any TurboTax fees that you chose to pay out of the Federal refund, and are you taking that into account?  Also be aware that if you chose to pay fees out o your Federal refund, tthere is an additional 39.99 service fee for that option (44.99 for California filers.)

[TerukoL]

If your tax refund is lower than TurboTax quoted, it may be caused by a refund offset. This is when the government applies part or all of a taxpayer's refund towards the taxpayer's past-due income tax, child or spousal support, student loans, or state unemployment compensation debts. Also, if you pay state taxes, make sure you did not add together your state and federal refunds.  

Please see the TurboTax FAQ, listed below, to learn about refund offsets. 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3288510

[shodclide]

Why did I only get half of my federal tax refund?

[xmasbaby0]

@shodclide

MY REFUND WAS LESS THAN I EXPECTED

There can be a number of reasons why your refund was less than the amount you expected. First of all, look carefully at your actual tax returns.  There is sometimes confusion about the amount of refund to expect when users misinterpret the “summary” they saw in TurboTax. The amount of your refund is on your tax return.  Federal refund line 20 on Form 1040

TurboTax does not receive feedback from the IRS regarding money that was offset from your refund.  If you owed back taxes, child support, student loan debt, etc. you will receive a letter of explanation from the IRS in several weeks.  The WMR site will contain a message regarding your offset.  It is also possible that the IRS caught a mistake you made and reduced your refund.

It is also possible that your state reduced your refund for debts owed in your state—if the state reduced your state refund you will receive a letter from the state.

https://www.irs.gov/uac/tax-refund-offsets-pay-unpaid-debts

 IRS Treasury Offset Program Call Center at 1-800-304-3107

Be aware also that your Federal refund and state refund do NOT come together. Federal and state tax returns are processed by two completely separate entities.

Did you choose to have TT fees deducted from your Federal refund?  (Remember that if you did that, you also agreed to an extra refund processing fee of $39.99)

How can I see my TurboTax  fees?   

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2565973-how-do-i-review-my-fees-in-turbotax-online

https://www.irs.gov/uac/tax-refund-offsets-pay-unpaid-debts

Reduced Refund     https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc203

To see back taxes owed 

https://www.irs.gov/uac/view-your-tax-account

 NOTE: You can contact the IRS Treasury Offset Program Call Center at 1-800-304-3107 to ask if they have an offset for you on file. TurboTax would not have that information.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/tax-payments/who-can-garnish-an-income-tax-refund/L7cPPzDyc

[vettinger]

Hi! I only received 1/2 of my federal return. State was recieving in full on a different day before my fed return.  I do not owe child support back taxes or anything.  Shows it was accepted by iirs on turbotax. Fee came out of it but not near close to what should get back.  Never happened before.  Thank you 

[MoniqueLO_]

Please see below for information regarding your reduced refund. It also contains the phone number to the Treasury Offset Program who can provide insight regarding your reduced refund.

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc203

[jordanmacalino18]

why i only got half on my tax refund?

[npierson7]

If the IRS reduced your tax refund they send you a letter with detailed explanation what exact reason caused the reduction. If you didn't received the letter yet, it will come shortly. 

[Dylan0215]

Re: I only got half of my tax refund, may I ask why?

[xmasbaby0]

@Dylan0215 TurboTax gets no information after you file your return, so no one at TT will know why your refund was less.  Federal and state arrive at different times, so that is one possible reason you do not have it all yet.  Or the IRS/state could have reduced your refund if you owe child support or back taxes.    

And..... did you choose to have your TurboTax fees deducted from your federal refund?  If so, you have to remember that your refund will be less than the amount on the Form 1040.

How can I see my TurboTax  fees?   

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2565973-how-do-i-review-my-fees-in-turbotax-online

What is Refund Processing Service?

If the IRS or state reduced your refund they will be mailing you a letter.