My refund is less than expected by $327 and comes from TPG PRODUCTS LLC. The IRS where's my refund page says it can't find my refund so I can't figure out why it's less

[ianshinville]

I saw on Google that this is a common problem this year for turbo tax users. I just want a explanation why my refund was less, or my money I think I'm owed!

[xmasbaby0]

MY REFUND WAS LESS THAN I EXPECTED

There can be a number of reasons why your refund was less than the amount you expected. First of all, look carefully at your actual tax returns.  There is sometimes confusion about the amount of refund to expect when users misinterpret the “summary” they saw in TurboTax. The amount of your refund is on your tax return.  Federal refund is on line 34 on Form 1040  State tax forms are all different so we cannot tell you what line to look at on your state form.  BUT it is important to actually LOOK at your tax return forms yourself and see the amounts of your tax refunds and/or tax due.  A lot of confusion would be avoided by doing that.

TurboTax does not receive feedback from the IRS regarding money that was offset from your refund.  If you owed back taxes, child support, student loan debt, etc. you will receive a letter of explanation from the IRS in several weeks.  The WMR site will contain a message regarding your offset.  It is also possible that the IRS caught a mistake you made and reduced your refund. 

A possible reason for the reduction could be that the recovery rebate credit was completed incorrectly and you may have entered the amount of stimulus already received wrong, which could have reduced the refund you thought you were seeing.

 It is also possible that your state reduced your refund for debts owed in your state—if the state reduced your state refund you will receive a letter from the state.

https://www.irs.gov/uac/tax-refund-offsets-pay-unpaid-debts

 IRS Treasury Offset Program Call Center at 1-800-304-3107

Be aware also that your Federal refund and state refund do NOT come together.  Federal and state tax returns are processed by two completely separate entities.  There is no rule as to which one will come first,

Did you choose to have TT fees deducted from your Federal refund?  (Remember that if you did that, you also agreed to an extra refund processing fee of $39.99)

How can I see my TurboTax  fees?   

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2565973-how-do-i-review-my-fees-in-turbotax-online

 https://www.irs.gov/uac/tax-refund-offsets-pay-unpaid-debts

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/refunds/help/what-is-a-refund-offset/00/26301

Reduced Refund      https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc203

 NOTE: You can contact the IRS Treasury Offset Program Call Center at 1-800-304-3107 to ask if they have an offset for you on file. TurboTax would not have that information.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/tax-payments/who-can-garnish-an-income-tax-refund/L7cPPzDyc

[ianshinville]

Thanks for your reply. Line 34 was 3616. I owed 477 to state which I chose to have taken out of my refund. I do not believe I made any mistakes or owed any money. I looked at the fees you guys took and the amount does not match what I believe I am short.  I saw on the message board here that

"We are aware of an issue related to your Refund Processing that may have caused you to see a smaller-than-expected refund.

We’re in the process of reimbursing all who were affected. Within the next 24-48 hours, those affected will receive a credit. If you were affected, look for a deposit (in the bank account associated with your return) labeled, "Remaining Federal Refund Due".  If you don't see that deposit in a few business days, please reach out to TurboTax Customer Support."

I just want the small amount of money I think I'm owed. Or a better explanation than you are probably dumb and filled it out wrong. Or wait for something in the mail. Please help or explain to me where to actually get help

[xmasbaby0]

Your state tax due cannot be paid from your federal refund. 

It is not possible to pay your state tax due from your federal refund, nor is it possible to pay a federal tax due from a state refund.  The federal and state treasuries are completely separate from each other.  You may have seen a TurboTax summary of your federal and state amounts that confused you into thinking one was “paying” the other.  It is not. The ONLY thing you can pay for from a federal refund is your TurboTax fees if you chose that option.  

[xmasbaby0]

You must pay your state tax due using the state’s preferred method of receiving payment.  For most states that will be by making a payment to the state’s own tax website, or by mailing a check or money order.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900884-what-are-my-options-for-getting-my-state-refund-or-for-pay...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901670-how-do-i-contact-my-state-department-of-revenue

[ianshinville]

Okay I'm pretty sure it said something about paying your state automatically with your refund. Maybe I'm mistaken. In that case then my refund is even shorter than I thought. 3616 federal refund. Paid 226 in turbo tax fees. Received 2812. 

[xmasbaby0]

@ianshinville It is impossible to pay the state from a federal refund, so yes, your federal refund is much less than you expected, which suggests the possibility that the IRS reduced your federal refund for some reason.   If that is what happened, they will send you a letter of explanation to tell you what they changed.   TurboTax does not get any information from the IRS when they change a refund.  Sorry.    Did you receive some advance child tax credit payments that you forgot to enter?   Or maybe make a mistake with the amount of stimulus you received?   Owe back taxes or child support?

[ianshinville]

I guess I'll have to wait on our lovely government to send me a letter. No advance child tax credits. I am poor I'm very aware of the amount of stimulus I received.  No child support. And did not to my knowledge owe any back taxes. Thanks for all your responses

[ianshinville]

The IRS where is my refund page cannot find my return either so I really have no idea

[xmasbaby0]

Sorry---it has to be very frustrating.   You will get a letter from the IRS if they reduced your refund, but the letters take a couple of weeks to arrive.

[SForrestLO]

We’re aware of an issue that may have caused customers who used our Refund Transfer service to see a smaller refund than expected.

We know how important your refund is and we apologize. We’re working quickly to resolve this and make sure you receive your full refund. You'll get an email message from us shortly letting you know when to expect the rest of your refund.

In the meantime, please refer to these Turbo Tax help articles.

Why is my direct-deposited refund or check lower than the amount in TurboTax?

Why is My Tax Refund Not What I Expected?

Topic No. 152 Refund Information

[gordonbauman3]

Where's the "thumbs down" icon for these goofy non-helpful inputs by TT "experts"?!

[jvlo16]

My refund is over a hundred dollars short.  The website is useless.  I just want MY money.  I think a lawsuit is a great idea!

[cbradley920]

Same here! 😠

[princessab]

I’m missing 1,000.