Previous years I only made little over $10,000. This years made over 33,000 but received a refund hundreds less then last refund. I dont understand why.!!

[jeanadean77]

I received a bigger refund when only made little over $10,000. If i made over $33,000 why was my refund only less then $700??

[AnnetteB6]

You are probably receiving the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) as part of your tax return.  The amount of the EITC changes with your income.  It will increase as your income goes up to a certain point.  Then, as your income continues to go higher, the amount of the EITC begins to drop.  

Take a look at the following TurboTax help article to learn more:

What is the Earned Income Credit? Find Out If You Qualify

There could be other reasons for the change.  Some possibilities are explained in this help article:

Why did my refund go down compared to last year's?

 

[Hal_Al]

The basic EIC works on a "bell curve," rising as a worker's wages rise reaching a maximum when annual earnings are between $15,400 and $20,150 (Single with 2 or 3 children 2022) and then declining gradually until it phases out altogether. If your income is on the up slope of the EIC curve more earned income will increase your EIC but if your income is on the down slope, more income (of any kind) will reduce you EIC. The “upslope" on the EIC curve is very steep; basically for every $3 you earn, the government gives you another dollar. See the 2023 curve (graph) at:

See the 2023 curve (graph) at https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R43805 (page 2)