My refund was 80% more than TurboTax calculated. It arrived with no explanatory info from the IRS. How can I find out what happened? I fear a mistake...

[LeeB6]

I received the EFT deposit and it's way more than expected. I got no communication from the IRS. What does one do in such a situation? I want to make sure the IRS didn't make a mistake.

[Mike9241 · Accepted solution]

you have 3 options

1) you should receive a notice explaining the changes in a week or so

2) you can go to the IRS website and view/download a transcript of your return or request one by mail. however, it may be a while before it's posted to your account

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript 

3) call the IRS

Call 800-829-1040

• Choose your language,
• Then choose option 2
• Then 1
• Then 3
• Then 2
• When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN do nothing – wait - - After it asks twice, you will get another menu
• Then 2
• Then 3

It should then transfer you to an agent. Note when its phone line are busy you may be on hold for a long while or disconnected

[LeeB6]

Wow, thank you. That transcript page is a fantastic resource.

My transcript says my return shows the expected (lower) refund, not the +80% higher refund that I received. 

I guess I'll have to be on the phone with them... 

[VolvoGirl]

Who was the deposit from?  Maybe it is from the state?  Or from the 3rd party company that takes the fees out (if you used your refund to pay the fees)?  

My federal refund checking acct deposit for 2023 said……
Checking Deposit-ACH-1416480 IRS TREAS 310 (TAX REF)

[LeeB6]

Thanks. It was definitely IRS — just a much larger refund than I was expecting. I think I forgot about some early quarterly payments I had made. 

[VolvoGirl]

Yeah that’s usually it.  I forgot about estimates.  Or if you applied some of a 2022 refund to 2023.  Estimates should be on 1040 line 26.   Check your bank account if you made estimated payments.   I was going to say the IRS might have paid interest on your refund but it sounded like it was too much to be just interest.

[LeeB6]

Good points. Yes, there was no interest. It was prepayments and applied refunds that I forgot about.