Did you file a joint return? This can happen when you enter W-2's for each spouse and enter them under only one of the names. You will need to look at the worksheets that are part of the pdf and see if you entered the income under only one of your names--which would have been a big mistake--or under both names. When the Social Security withheld is entered under only one name and if the amount entered from box 4 of your W-2's is "excess" Social Security it gives you a bigger refund than you should have received. When the IRS catches the mistake they want that money back.
How much did you say was withheld from your own box 4 of your W-2 Was it more than $7960.80? How much did you say was withheld for your spouse's W-2 box 4?
That is the most common reason for this problem. Unfortunately, it is user error. As you prepare your return, several screens alert you to it.
And if you did in fact make the mistake of entering all of the income for your W-2’s under only one spouse’s name, you may have made that same mistake on the next year’s tax return if you transferred all your data over from the past year to the next. Check to see—before you get another IRS letter.
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
