I made 10,000 more than I made last year but I'm receiving $300 less than what I got back last year and no I do not have dependents but does this sound right ?

[BMcCalpin · Accepted solution]

Because of the tax reform, it is difficult to compare 2017 to 2018.

Aside from the possibility of a typo (so recheck everything that you entered), there are a variety of possible reasons. The first is that the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 made a number of changes that reduced some deductions, like for mortgage interest, state and local property and sales taxes, and moving expenses. Some taxpayers will find that they actually owe more money after the tax reform.

You can find a detailed list of the changes at the IRS website as https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5307.pdf

Also after the Tax Cut and Jobs Act tax reform passed in 2017, the IRS updated the withholding tables to reflect the tax law changes. However, the tax reductions were not equal across the board - some taxpayers will actually owe more tax - so the IRS urged taxpayers to review their withholding all during 2018.

This means that some taxpayers underwithheld compared to last year.

I don't have enough information on your return, but the tax withholding tables were another thing that changed for your return that may have had a large impact on your refund/tax due.

See https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-withholding-tables-frequently-asked-questions

Note that the withholding tables are set up on the assumption that you have one job. If you have two jobs, then your total income may push you into the next tax bracket, and the W-2 withholding will have not quite enough withholding for that.

[VolvoGirl]

That’s possible.  More income = more tax and usually less refund.

Your withholding didn’t increase enough to keep up with the increase in income.  And they reduced the withholding tables so you got more back in your paychecks each month.