Why did my stimulus reduce my refund

[penstruck]

I have read through some answers in the discussion threads, but there is no direct answer. 

Why would turbotax deluxe desktop begin with a "credit" from the stimulus? this does not make sense, as many users, myself included, received no stimulus payment because of income restrictions. I am doing my son's taxes (he is married with a child) and his refund went from $4,957 to $3,298 when I entered the two stimulus check payments received. 

Can someone provide a clear answer that can be verified with the IRS

Thanks

Pennee

[xmasbaby0]

You might have become confused by the flow of information in the software.   That "refund monitor" on your screen displays a "refund" amount that includes the stimulus money. as part of your 2020 refund.  The software starts off by giving you the stimulus money.   But later when you enter the amount of stimulus you really received already, it removes the stimulus already given to you.   And it looks to you like you "lost" your refund,   But ---you do not get the same stimulus money twice--that is why it came out.

Look on line 30 of your Form 1040 for your recovery rebate amount.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901539-how-do-i-preview-my-turbotax-online-return-before-filing

Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the screen. Click on Tools. Click on View Tax Summary. Click on Preview my 1040 on the left side of the screen.

[penstruck]

Thank you for this reply. However, it does not address the logic of why a tax software application would start of with a potentially misleading refund and 'assume' that all Turbotax users received the stimulus.