I am currently pay back taxes owed for 2011-I pay a set amount every month to the IRS-and I have not filed taxes since then as I was only receiving social security and

[solomea2003]

Yes, I only filed once in 2012 after the 2011 taxes-it was to get a 1000 dollars, thru H&R Block, but it went directly to the IRS-I knew that' was accurate-so should I continue to file, and will if I get a refund go to the IRS?

[Opus 17]

If you still owe money to the IRS, any refund will automatically be held back.  However, it will reduce your debt and number of remaining payments.  I'm not sure why you would get a refund if your only income is social security though.

If you do have taxable income that requires you to file, you must file, and you should also file for past years if you had income that required you to file.  When you don't file a tax return, the IRS creates a substitute tax return in your name in their computer system using your income records (W-2, 1099, etc.).  But the substitute return may not be accurate because the IRS does not know about or give you credit for deductions.  If you could file and claim a refund for past years, it would also reduce your debt and remaining payments even though you don't get the money directly.

[solomea2003]

Can I file just for the interest I paid and have the refund go directly to the IRS?

[Opus 17]

You need to have taxable income before you can take. deductions.  What interest are you talking about?

[solomea2003]

Int paid on a student loan in 2016 i received a 1098e fir 449.93

[Opus 17]

If you have no taxable income you can't get anything for the interest.  If you do have taxable income and file a return you can certainly deduct the interest.