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Level 3
posted Mar 7, 2023 11:57:39 AM

Why is my State Refund from 2021 different from what I expected and what is shown on the 2021 tax file?

Why is my State Refund from 2021 different from what I expected and what is shown on the 2021 tax file?  The 1099-G I got in the mail has a different amount than the refund shown on my California return.

 

Did I make a mistake and the FTB corrected it ?  How do I know what the mistake was?

 

Thank you

0 4 458
4 Replies
Level 15
Mar 7, 2023 12:13:23 PM

MY STATE REFUND WAS LESS THAN I EXPECTED

The state will send you a letter explaining the change.  TurboTax does not get any feedback from your state after your return is accepted, so no one at TT knows why your state refund was less.   Did you owe back taxes, child support, or student loans?  Traffic fines, etc.?

 

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/state-taxes/help/how-do-i-contact-my-state-department-of-revenue/00/25573

Level 3
Mar 8, 2023 6:57:10 AM

I did not get a letter explaining why the refund was larger than expected. I do not have student loans, back taxes, fines etc. I even logged onto the California Franchise Tax Board website and looked at my correspondence. There were a few letters from years past years but nothing about the 2021 refund being larger.

 

Can I request a copy of the revised return if that is what they did?

 

Thanks

Intuit Alumni
Mar 8, 2023 8:19:17 AM

You will need to contact your state Department of Revenue. Usually, you would only receive a letter explaining the difference. Please see this Help Article for contact information.

@Kipmc7 
 

Level 3
Mar 8, 2023 9:59:38 AM

Solved!!

 

My refund was $693.  The 1099-G is correct. The number shown in the Return Summary in TT was $473 because I made $220 in donations from the refund. That is shown on "Side 4"(?) of the Form 540. If I subtract the $220 in donations from the $693 refund I get the $473.

 

Lesson Learned:  The number shown on the TT Return Summary as "Amount to be Refunded"  is NOT the actual refund. It is:

 

Line 115 REFUND OR NO AMOUNT DUE. Subtract the sum of line 110, line 112 and line 113 from line 99.

 

New question : Is the $220 in donations a tax deduction in 2022 - I will post this.