Wrong refund amount!

[jminyard]

TurboTax calculated a $209 federal refund.  I received $9 from the IRS, with no explanation for the difference.  I have not cashed the check yet.  How do I get the other $200?

[BillM223]

As you probably know, the Department of the Treasury handles an offset program which removes amounts from refunds - see https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/TOP/

The letter that the Treasury sends a taxpayer explaining what has been done is sent separately from the refund itself (which is usually a direct deposit).

With the current COVID-19 situation, many government offices are running at reduced capacity, so your letter may literally be "in the mail".

You can use that link above to find the phone number for the TOP program to call and ask.

[VolvoGirl]

Is it for your federal refund?  Maybe it is just the Stimulus Check?  And Federal and state refunds come separately from different places at different times.  Were you having the Turbo Tax fees deducted from your refund?

I would check over your return and see if you can see anything wrong especially in the payments section.  Make sure you agree with all the amounts listed.   Like is the difference the same or close to the refund you got last year?  Maybe you put down that you applied last year's refund to this year? Or you applied part of your refund to next year as an estimated payment.  Or you put down you made a payment with an extension or paid an estimated payment that you didn't make?

If the IRS adjusted your refund they will be mailing you a letter explaining why the changed it.

[fanfare]

@VolvoGirl  the stimulus check is hard to miss since it has
The Donald's name on it !

[VolvoGirl]

Not if you get Direct Deposit.  It says the same description as the regular refund.

[fanfare]

Since the phaseout reduces your Impact payment by increments of $5. you can't get a $9 Impact Payment.

[VolvoGirl]

It doesn't mean that.  You can get other odd amounts.  Mine even had cents on it.   It's a 5% reduction for the amount over.  Like for 

Joint 197,820 -150,000 (max) = 47,820 x .05 = 2,391.   So 2,400-2,391 = $9

Single 98,820 - 75,000 = 23,820 x .05 = 1,191.  So 1,200 - 1,191 =  $9

See https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/how_do_I_calculate_my_eip.pdf

[jminyard]

The check says "12/2019 tax refund".  This was Federal.  We already received the stimilus check.

[VolvoGirl]

Ok wait for the IRS to mail you a letter explaining what the changed.  Maybe you can figure out if there is an extra $200 credit or payment showing on your return.

Or they kept it for something you owed.  Or you had them apply it to next year.  What's on your 1040 lines 20-22?

Its not for a state refund?  What version did you use?  Were you having the fees deducted from your refund?

[jminyard]

The check is dated 4-10-20 and we still have not received any communications from them indicating why the amount is not what TurboTax said we would get.  We didn't have TurboTax electronically file our state tax so there were no fees due them.  I'm gonna try to contact the IRS this week but hate to think how long I will have to wait on hold!  

[jminyard]

Can someone give me the best phone number or e-mail for contacting the IRS about this mistake?  Thanks

[xmasbaby0]

To call the IRS:IRS:  800-829-1040  hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Mon-Fri

Listen to each menu before making the selection.

First choose your language. Press 1 for English.

Then do NOT choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.

Instead, press 2 for "personal income tax".

Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".  

Then press 3 "for all other questions."

Then press 2 "for all other questions."  It should then transfer you to an agent.

[jminyard]

Thanks!  I'll try that tomorrow!  🙂

[jminyard]

I can't get through to a live person at IRS.  Is there an e-mail address that I can use to find out about the wrong refund amount?  Thanks!

[DoninGA]

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@jminyard wrote:

I can't get through to a live person at IRS.  Is there an e-mail address that I can use to find out about the wrong refund amount?  Thanks!

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The IRS does not have email address for their agents.

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. You’ll get a notice explaining the changes. Where’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 Unempl... has more information about refund offsets.

Call the IRS: 1-800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday
When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.
So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info). Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.
Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".
Then press 3 "for all other questions."
Then press 2 "for all other questions."
- When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don't enter anything.
- After it asks twice, you will get another menu.

Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
Then press 4 for all other inquiries
It should then transfer you to an agent.