Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
Level 2
posted Mar 6, 2021 2:53:50 PM

incorrect refund

I filed my 2020 fed, it was accepted by the IRS on Feb 11. I checked my bank account today and saw the refund was direct deposited. Only problem, the amount is incorrect. Line 35a on my return says one value, but the refunded amount is $147 short. Now what do I do?

0 36 1963
1 Best answer
Level 2
Mar 10, 2021 12:29:51 PM

To those who may find this thread

I resolved the problem. I neglected to include the amount of our second COVID relief check. When I updated my 2020 tax forms with that amount, it nullified the "Recovery Rebate Credit" (form 1040 line 30) which just happened to be the $147 difference.

I do not have to wait for a letter from the IRS explaining why our 2020 refund was not the amount I expected because I signed into my IRS account and the reason was spelled out clearly.

24 Replies
Level 15
Mar 6, 2021 2:57:50 PM

Is the difference your TT fees?  If not, the IRS will be sending you a letter. (One possibility is that you made a data entry error, or forgot to claim some income).  The IRS does not notify TT.

Level 2
Mar 6, 2021 3:02:23 PM

No, I have no TT fees and I did not buy bonds or "siphon" off any of the refund (e.g. apply to estimated 2021). How do I find out about "entry errors" or "unclaimed income"?

Level 2
Mar 10, 2021 12:29:51 PM

To those who may find this thread

I resolved the problem. I neglected to include the amount of our second COVID relief check. When I updated my 2020 tax forms with that amount, it nullified the "Recovery Rebate Credit" (form 1040 line 30) which just happened to be the $147 difference.

I do not have to wait for a letter from the IRS explaining why our 2020 refund was not the amount I expected because I signed into my IRS account and the reason was spelled out clearly.

Returning Member
Mar 25, 2021 2:02:06 PM

HELP! tried calling the IRS 3 times with crazy long hold times only to be hung up on. Ready to pull my hair out. my 1040 is off over $2,500. I have used TT for over 15 years.. always importing last years data.. and refunds have always matched up. What are my options here? The Govt is a joke!

Level 15
Mar 25, 2021 2:05:40 PM


@pjrey wrote:

HELP! tried calling the IRS 3 times with crazy long hold times only to be hung up on. Ready to pull my hair out. my 1040 is off over $2,500. I have used TT for over 15 years.. always importing last years data.. and refunds have always matched up. What are my options here? The Govt is a joke!


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. This may include corrections to any incorrect Recovery Rebate Credit amount. You’ll get a notice explaining the changesWhere’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.

Returning Member
Mar 25, 2021 2:54:25 PM

nothing changed.. still married, no delinquent taxes, no student loans, no dept at all! turbo tax told me one number, and the IRS sent me another.. has never happened in my 15 years of using turbotax desktop. again, this isn't a few bucks, this is over $2,500 usd

Level 15
Mar 25, 2021 2:57:19 PM

A common adjustment is if you claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit on 1040 line 30 when you already got the Stimulus payments or got the second one after you filed or reported the wrong amounts. Do you have an amount on line 30? And you had to report the right amount in each box. If you put the total in 1 box it would give you the other amount again.

Returning Member
Mar 25, 2021 2:59:46 PM

i do have an amount on line 30.. but shouldn't turbo tax know this and adjust accordingly?

Level 15
Mar 25, 2021 3:03:31 PM

Is the amount on line 30 wrong?  Did you already get the full Stimulus amounts?  You had to enter the Stimulus payments you already got and in the right box or Turbo Tax would think you didn't get it or you qualified for more.  If you filed early then maybe you hadn't got the second Stimulus payment yet and it came after you filed.  The IRS knows how much they sent you.  

Returning Member
Mar 27, 2021 10:02:46 PM

no, line 30 is correct... never received a second stimulus check (in 2020, or in 2021 thus far).... and even if i did.. that would in no way justify taking out over 2.5K in my refund

Level 15
Mar 28, 2021 8:31:14 AM

Just had a thought.  Maybe what you got was the 3rd new stimulus check and not your refund.  Those started going out recently.  it's 1,400 per person or less if your AGI is high.  

Returning Member
Mar 28, 2021 12:03:22 PM

maybe i wasn't clear.. i was EXPECTING 2.5K more (from what TurboTax told me my federal return would be. what was deposited in my bank account was 2.5k LESS... not more

Level 15
Mar 28, 2021 12:07:49 PM

Yes we understand.  How much did they send you? I'm saying maybe it is not for your refund.  But is the new 3rd Stimulus payment.  Maybe your refund hasn't come yet.

 

And you know Federal and state come separately from different places at different times.   At the end Turbo Tax just shows you the net federal and state combined. But that is only for your info. You will still get the full refund and need to pay a tax due. 

 

 

Returning Member
Mar 28, 2021 12:14:59 PM

no, is my fed tax return. i logged into irs.gov and checked on my refund. it says the amount has been lowered and here is their reason why

"We changed the amount claimed as Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return. The error was in one or more of the following:

  • The Social Security number of one or more individuals claimed as a qualifying dependent was missing or incomplete.
  • The last name of one or more individuals claimed as a qualifying dependent does not match our records.
  • One or more individuals claimed as a qualifying dependent exceeds the age limit.
  • Your adjusted gross income exceeds $75,000 ($150,000 if married filing jointly, $112,500 if head of household).
  • The amount was computed incorrectly."

 

i import the data from my previous year, like i have been doing for the last 16 years...

i double checked all names, and social security numbers, and everything is correct.

when i try calling, we are put on hold for hours, and then they hang up.

our gov runs like a well oiled machine...

 

Level 15
Mar 28, 2021 12:22:12 PM

Ok.  How much is on line 30?  How much did you actually get in 2020 and 2021 for the first 2 payments?  How many people are listed on your return?  Married + children under 17.  

 

They might have increased your income so you went over the max to qualify for the Recovery rebate credit.  Or they took off one or more of your dependents.  

 

You might have reported the Stimulus payments you got in the wrong boxes so it gave you the wrong credit on line 30.  Or reported the wrong amounts.  

Returning Member
Mar 28, 2021 12:53:30 PM

married and all 4 kids under 17 (eldest is 😎

i received $3,800 in 2020 (as of yet, i have only received one stimulus check)

 

Level 15
Mar 28, 2021 1:22:56 PM

So you should have had 4,200 on line 30?  You have to ask the IRS exactly why they changed it. 

Returning Member
Mar 29, 2021 1:49:48 PM

Hi,

I'm experiencing the same issue. I got the same response as far as the refund goes. My dollar amount is $1200 less than TT said it would be. While this is only my second year using TT, last year.. no issues. Same info nothings changed. Cant get through to anyone to explain the reason.

Level 15
Mar 29, 2021 5:05:49 PM

@sailfish   Are you married?  Did you have 1200 on 1040 line 30?  That could be for the second Stimulus payment.  Did you get it after you filed?  

Returning Member
Mar 30, 2021 2:14:47 AM

Yes, I am married. I do have 1200 on line 30. The second stimulus payment came before I filed.

Level 15
Mar 30, 2021 8:11:34 AM

Did you see the screen with 2 boxes to enter the Stimulus payments you got?  Did you put the right amount in the right boxes including the second 1200 in box 2?  Turbo Tax thought you didn't get the second 1200 so it tried to give it to you again.  

Returning Member
Mar 30, 2021 11:03:38 AM

im sti confused...

like i said TT has always matched what i receive. this year off by 2.5K...

stimulus aside.. (lets say i did enter the $3800 right, or wrong) how could that make my TT be off by $2.5K??

that is my question, well, one of them

thanks

p

Returning Member
Mar 30, 2021 2:24:26 PM

Hi,

As far as I know, I entered the correct amount of stimulus in the boxes. That said, if it's supposed to be non taxable income or considered "stimulus", why would it be deducted from my federal return. I've never in 25 years of filing, received such little in return.

Please Advise

Level 15
Mar 30, 2021 2:36:58 PM


@sailfish wrote:

Hi,

As far as I know, I entered the correct amount of stimulus in the boxes. That said, if it's supposed to be non taxable income or considered "stimulus", why would it be deducted from my federal return. I've never in 25 years of filing, received such little in return.

Please Advise


Look at your tax return Form 1040 Line 30.  If Line 30 is blank or has 0 then your stimulus payments or the Recovery Rebate Credit had no affect on your tax return.

Look at the rest of the tax return to see if there are any discrepancies or if something does not look correct.

Your taxable income, deductions and adjustment to income are all on Lines 1 thru 14 with the total on Line 15.  Your tax liability is on Line 24 and your tax payments are on Line 33

 

Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the screen. Click on Tools. Click on View Tax Summary. Click on Preview my 1040 on the left side of the screen.