Our federal refund deposited into our account but it is $1,201.59 short. We only received 3,659.41 but our return should be $4,860. What should I do?

[JamikaLO · Accepted solution]

Some taxpayers, regardless of tax preparation method, may see a discrepancy in their tax refund amount.  The most common reason for this is a refund offset.  All or part of a taxpayers 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. Taxpayers may also see a change in their refund amount because the IRS made a change to their tax return.

Taxpayers will receive a notice explaining the refund offset.  The notice will reflect the original refund amount, your offset amount, the agency receiving the payment, and the address and telephone number of the agency. The IRS Where’s My Refund? will also reflect the reasons for the refund offset when it relates to a change in your tax return. https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3288510

You can try contacting the IRS to get the reasoning for the decrease in refund amount.