Refund amount falls

[equity7501]

I've noticed an issue where my refund amount falls unexpectedly after I have entered all my data. I get to the page where it says, "congrats on your refund of xxxx amount", "why is my refund xxxx amount", and "here's what's changed".

After I review this info, I click on the continue button (and without any other data input from me), the refund amount then falls several hundred dollars. This next web page is "you've got a head start on state taxes".

I've cleared my tax return 3 times, started over, and still encounter this unexpected refund drop at this page in the software. I have no idea what is happening in the background, especially with no further data input from me. Anyone else seeing this? Thanks.

[KeshaH]

If you'd like, we can look at your return and see exactly what you see to  help come to a resolution. The return will be scrubbed and won't include any of your personal details.

If you're using TurboTax Online:

Once you're logged in to your account,

- on the left hand panel, click on Tax Tools and then choose Tools

- on the pop up window, select Share my file with Agent

- you'll see a message saying you'll give us a copy of your tax return. Your personal information will be changed so we can't see any private information.

- click okay and you'll get another message with a token

Please reply to this message with your token so that we can further assist you. Let us know what state is included in your return.

[equity7501]

Hi, Kesha:

Token # is 1269126. I live in Florida.

[KeshaH]

Thank you for sending your token. I'm unable to recreate the issue on my end. Do you mind sharing what your refund amount was before it dropped? I'm wondering if the amount that I see if after the change.

[equity7501]

At the point in the program where it shows "here is your refund", and "here is how the calculations were done", the refund amount was $1293. After I hit the continue button at the bottom of the page, the page refreshes and takes me to a page that says, "You've got a head start on State taxes". The refund amount shown in the top left corner is now $1113, a drop of $180. 

I have used TurboTax for at least 15 years, and I watch how the refund amount changes (as expected), as I enter data. But as this changed after NO data input from me, I became concerned about what may be going on during the web page refresh. And thank you for looking into this issue for me.

[KeshaH]

I see the refund of $1,113. Based on the calculations, this is the correct refund. However, please review your forms to make sure that all of your withholding is still properly recorded. Right now I only see withholding for one of your forms. If any of your other forms have withholding you'll need to add it back.

[VolvoGirl]

Are you using the Online version or the Desktop program?  If you try again then before you get to that point you should  print or review your 1040.  Then after the refund drops print it again and compare them line by line to see what changed.

For Online, Before filing you can preview the 1040 or print the whole return
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/accessing/help/how-do-i-preview-my-turbotax-online-return-before-f...

[equity7501]

Online version. And this is great advice. Thank you!

I did what VolvoGirl suggested. I reset my return, started over, and got to the place where my refund was shown as $1293. Remember at this juncture all my income and deductions have already been input into the program. I am getting close to the end. The next step is to review the details of the $1293 refund amount and then hit the continue button. I did that and then the refund drops to $1113 (minus $180).

Comparing the 1040 tax summaries before and then after hitting the continue button shows my total income increased over $1500 just by moving forward in the program. I don't know why this is happening, given that I have not entered any other data at that point. I am at a loss to explain what's happening here and am concerned with the accuracy of my return.

[TexasAve]

This exact same thing just happened to me.

There was a decrease of $223 after clicking "continue" on the review page, with no further input from me. 

I took screenshots of both "Your federal refund is: XX" stages and just like your issue, my "Total Income" had increased by $931. 

Would love if someone could explain why this is happening!

[BrittanyS]

Have you reviewed the preview 1040, as suggested by VolvoGirl? Does the total income look different from what you have entered?

@TexasAve 

[TexasAve]

Hi BrittanyS, thank you!

I saw that recommendation, is there a way to do this without starting over? I'm a sole proprietor and spent too many hours inputting everything to start over. I would really rather only do that as an absolute last resort.

I DO have screenshots of the "Your Tax Breakdown" chart on the "Why am I getting a refund?" page, so I see that the one line that changed there was "Total Income." It mysteriously increased $931. 

But no, unless there's an easier way to access the previous 1040 preview, I don't think I will be able to compare that way.

[ThomasM125]

I'm not sure why the refund listed changes, but if your return is correctly stated when filed you will be OK. Before you file your tax return, print it out and compare it to your sources documents and to last year's return to make sure your entries are properly reflected on the tax return.