My IRS account shows that I have a payment every year, what does it mean? I always get a refund and never had to pay

[xiaoyin2000]

Today I logged on to my IRS account and found that I actually have a "payment history" that shows a few hundred to a few thousand dollars of payment every year. I don't understand this. I withhold way more than needed and I get a tax refund every year. I never had to pay any extra tax. What does the payment mean? 

[Bsch4477]

Does that represent your tax liability that you paid each year?

[Mike9241]

is that your federal withholding? 

[Critter-3]

On your annual tax return a tax liability is calculated  and then your withholding is used to "pay" that tax and if you overpaid thru withholding you get the excess withholding back as a REFUND.  Thus the IRS shows you paid that tax and reports it as such.   This doesn't mean you paid in MORE tax on the return... does it make sense now?