@ jurassicking42 wrote:
I already have received my state refunds and what I assume is part of my federal refund as I got a payment from "IRS Tax Ref" in my bank account but it's not even close to my full refund. Is it normal to get it in chunks or am I being screwed over?
No, it doesn't normally come from the IRS in more than one deposit. The IRS may have reduced your refund amount for some reason. They should send you a letter in about 3 weeks explaining why, and telling you what recourse you have if you disagree.
How much was your refund reduced? Often, it's due to a 3rd stimulus payment or a child tax credit that was claimed on your return that had already been paid to you in advance. This is happening to a lot of folks where the IRS believes the IRS had already paid one or both of those to a filer.
For example, if you indicated that you did not receive the third stimulus payment last year and were entitled to it now, there would be an amount on your Form 1040, Line 30. If the IRS disagreed, they would subtract that from the refund. If you did not receive the third stimulus payment last year (check your bank records), and indicated so on your return, but the IRS disagreed and believes they already paid it to you, you can submit a trace.
Is there any clue at the IRS "Where's My Refund" site? Any message there?
https://www.irs.gov/refunds
