TurboTax

File with experts
File your taxes
Experts at your fingertips

An expert helps with your taxes, or does them for you
TurboTax Expert Full Service

TurboTax Expert Assist

TurboTax Self-Employed
Prior year taxes
File myself
File myself
Do it yourself

We'll guide you step-by-step
TurboTax Do It Yourself

TurboTax Self-Employed

TurboTax Desktop
TurboTax Free

Activate your product

Prior year taxes
Business
Business
Business taxes

Get your T2 corporate return done right, your way
TurboTax Business

TurboTax Business Desktop
Tax situations
Tax situations
Tax situations

Find extra guidance for your big life moves
For investors

For 25 and younger

For self-employed

For new to Canada

For life changes
Resources
Resources
Resources

Explore tax tools, get tips, and read reviews
Personal income tax calculator

RRSP savings calculator

Learning hub

TurboTax support (FAQ)

TurboTax community
Pricing

Level 1

Question

IRS Account Balance vs Transcript

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
January 5, 2023
2 replies
30 views

On the IRS site > account balance, it shows I owe for 2017, but if I pull the transcripts from the IRS site, there is no balance owed, leading up to 2021. Which do I believe? And why would there be a difference?

TurboTax Live Deluxe Online

Level 15

If you had a balance due on the 2017 return then the return transcript will always show that amount because that was what was on the return. But the account transcripts would show the payments on all the tax years so if you paid off the balance due that is what will be on that transcript. If the balance due was paid off from refunds of other returns that will also be reflected.

Level 15

according to the IRS, your Account Balance is the amount you owe.

if you file for a refund, it will go toward your Account Balance.