Can someone help with why someone that made around 33,000 with federal income tax withheld of 2,150 would only get $3 back?

[xmasbaby0]

We do not have enough information.   We do not know your filing status or whether you have any dependents claimed on your return.   We do not know how much "around" $33,000 really was----or if the $2150 was all in box 2 of your W-2.  We do not know if you had any other income like some self-employment income from a side gig, etc. etc. etc.

[xmasbaby0]

And.....even with the rounded amount of $33,000, and the assumption that you are filing Single with no dependents, and the assumption that your box 2 has $2150 in it----your refund would only be about $70.  We do not know what the variables are since we cannot see your tax return or any of your information.

[Mike9241 · Accepted solution]

for a single person under 65, the standard deduction is $13,850 leaving you with a taxable income of about $19,150. the tax tables say the tax on that is $2081 so $2047 would be reasonable.  thus $2150 less $2147 is your $3 refund.