Can I get a refund even though I don't owe / didn't pay any taxes?

[cw9]

Turbotax is showing that I will receive a federal refund even though I have not paid any taxes, I am joint filing as self employed and have taken deductions and did not carry anything over or have anything taken out of my 1099's.  I'd be happy to get a refund but it does not seem right that I would be refunded for money never paid.

[AnthonyC · Accepted solution]

Potentially - if you are eligible for refundable credits, such as the Earned Income Credit, the Additional Child Tax Credit, or the American Opportunity Credit.  With credits such as these, as long as you had earned income from work, so you would be eligible to receive the refundable credit (meaning you get the credit in your refund even if you didn't pay taxes).

Here is a link to some explanation of the Earned Income Credit, which is the largest refundable credit (the other two credits carry maximum refundable amounts of $1,000 per child or eligible student)

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/eitc-income-limits-maxim...

You should be able to check your Form 1040 for these amounts - EIC (line 66a), ACTC (line 67), AOC (line 68), and also refundable premium tax credit for health care on line 69.