Why do we have to pay the IRS $187.00, when Turbo tax figured that I was getting back $1013.00?

[wildah224]

Can turbo tax tell me why we have to pay the IRS $187,00 when they figured we would get back $1,013?

[NCperson]

Look on Line 30 of your tax return.  what is there? 

That difference is $1200 - sounds like an error with the Recovery Credit. 

I have seen other posts that folks that submitted prior to Feb 12 may have had a programming error that causes Line 30 to be incorrect. 

[BillM223]

"Can turbo tax tell me why we have to pay the IRS $187,00" How do you know this? Did the IRS send you a letter?

If you ever get a letter form the IRS or a state revenue department, please visit our TurboTax Audit Support Center. They will explain the letter to you and suggest how to respond to it.

Please remember that we in the Community cannot see your private tax data, nor do we work for the IRS, so we cannot know.

I like NCperson's suggestion, since the difference is exactly $1,200.

[VolvoGirl]

1,200 sounds like you entered the Stimulus checks you got wrong.  Do you have 1,200 on line 30? Did you already get the first or second stimulus checks?  Or get the second one after you filed?  You had to enter what you already got into the right 2 boxes or Turbo Tax gave it to you again.  The IRS knows they already sent it to you.

[SweetieJean]

Or maybe the IRS adjusted your income, so that it is now too high for the stimulus.

[NCperson]

@SweetieJean - I bet not... I have just seen too many posts where the IRS has adjusted by the exact amount of a stimulus payment.  I have seen other posts suggesting that TT had a 'bug' for submissions prior to Feb 12 where Line 30 was incorrect.

Line 30 is just math.  All the inputs are known by the software.  if Line 30 is incorrect and users correctly answered the stimulus question, the only way that could occur is a programming bug.  

ps if the IRS adjusted your income it would be highly unlikely that the adjustment times your marginal tax rate was EXACTLY a stimulus payment.  

[wildah224]

Thanks to everyone who responded.  We did file before February 12th (on the 9th).  And it did surprise me that the stimulus check was a credit.  The letter is coming April 5th, according to the IRS website.  

[NCperson]

@wildah224 - i have seen other posts that TT had a bug that inflated Line 30 on returns submitted prior to Feb 12.  If you think Line 30 is inflated by $1200, that is why the IRS is adjusting your return.  No penalty if you pay the $187 by May 17