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Level 2
April 8, 2023
Question

Interest Received

  • April 8, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 17 views

I don't know if this is a glitch or what but I came across something that I found very odd and slightly concerning. I was set to receive a fed refund of $827 but had forgotten to include the small amount of interest I got from a checking account, a whopping $2.51. So being the good guy I opted to declare it and the moment I did my refund dropped to $816. Whole loss of $11 just for a measly $2.51, huh?

So I did some playing around and found that the threshold is $.50 (50 cents). If I drop the interest paid to .49 I get back my $11 to $827.

I don't make a lot of money, middle class guy who makes less than 70k and my taxes are not complicated and I don't have any extra income coming in that would take me to a some crazy higher bracket.

 

    3 replies

    AliciaP1
    Alumni - Intuit
    April 8, 2023

    Interest from a US bank account for that amount of money is not reported to the IRS by the bank.  It has to be at least $10 for the bank to report the income. 

     

    Per the IRS the bank has to:

    File Form 1099-INT, Interest Income, for each person:

    To whom you paid amounts reportable in boxes 1, 3, or 8 of at least $10

    For whom you withheld and paid any foreign tax on interest; or

    From whom you withheld (and did not refund) any federal income tax under the backup withholding rules regardless of the amount of the payment.

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    Level 2
    April 8, 2023

    I agree however isn't it a bit weird that even if I wanted to even declare .50 suddenly I lose out on $11 I refund? Something ain't right.

    AliciaP1
    Alumni - Intuit
    April 8, 2023

    Tax amounts are calculated in ranges of taxable income and they have to break somewhere.  You can review the 2022 IRS tax tables here.

     

    @SharkyRaleigh 

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