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New Member
posted Jan 2, 2020 3:44:27 PM

Why am I getting such a low amount back from federal?

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2 Replies
Level 15
Jan 2, 2020 3:55:01 PM

No one else can see your tax return so no one knows what you consider to be "such a low amount."  Have you entered all of your 2019 income already, including all of the tax that was withheld?  Employers have until January 31 to issue W-2's, and there are still many other tax documents that have not been issued such as SSA1099's, mortgage 1098's, 1098T's, etc, etc. etc.  Documents do not usually all come before the end of January so you may just be looking for results too soon.

 

There are are lot of variables that affect your refund or tax due including how much you earned, how much tax you had withheld, your filing status, the number of dependents you claim, your deductions and credits, etc.  You may have lost Earned Income Credit or the Child Tax Credit— did a child turn 17?  If you received the EIC last year, remember that changes in the amount you earn have a big effect on the amount of EIC you can get. (Sometimes earning more money means less EIC)  Are you 65 or older ?  If so, your standard deduction is higher. Everyone has a higher standard deduction now so it is much harder to use itemized deductions.  

Level 15
Jan 2, 2020 4:02:46 PM