Why did I have to pay back the $3,000 that I received for the advance child tax credit? If I didn't make over the $50,000. I have reached out to the IRS but no answer.

[cboyd899]

I never spoke with anyone at IRS. I also called turbotax, and she couldn't tell me anything. Just to wait and see what the IRS do.

[VolvoGirl]

What do you mean pay back?  You get the other half on your tax return line 28.  It adds to your refund (or reduces a tax due). How much is on line 28?  

I found this in a news article, it explains it pretty well........

While the CTC expansion was structured to not increase taxes on any household, a dollar of credit received in advance results in a dollar less received at filing time. For families unaware of the trade-off, it could mean a surprise when they see their refund total this year.

Consider a married couple with a 10-year-old child who normally received their $2,000 CTC when they filed their taxes. They would have received $1,500 of their $3,000 in advance. As such, they could potentially see their refund shrink by $500 even though their total benefit increased to $3,000 because they are left with $1,500 instead of their normal $2,000 at tax time.

[cboyd899]

The tax calculator I use on turbotax  stated I would get 7000+. But only got 4000+. Line 28 has 3,000.

[VolvoGirl]

What is the ending refund on line 35a?  Or is it a tax due on 37?

[cboyd899]

35a ' $4,771

[VolvoGirl]

Did the IRS send the refund yet?  Or did they only send 4771-3000 so you only got 1,771?

[cboyd899]

They sent the 4771. But shouldn't it have been the more?

[VolvoGirl]

Your refund is only the 4771.  You already got 3,000 as the Advance Credit.  Line 28 is only the other half.
I don't know where you saw 7,000 refund.   

[cboyd899]

Ok thank you