I received a refund for taxes paid to my state in 2017. I only claimed on Sch A the amount of tax that I owed. Is the refund, (excess money paid) truly taxable?

[ryouga1100]

Yes, it is taxable

[caabraham]

This makes no sense to me.  If I only paid what I owed in the first place (mea culpa), there would have been no extra money changing hands and I would not have to pay more taxes on money that they didn't need in the first place.   I only claimed on Schedule A the amount I owed - not the total amount I had paid.   I did not receive a 1099-G for this (though I did for another matter from the same state).  They had use of a very large sum withheld from a home sale, while I was without - they should owe me interest, if anything.  Please explain why they should tax this so I can understand.  Thanks.