Why is it that when I report that I did receive a stimulus, and how much, my total refund was reduced by that much?

[VolvoGirl]

I don't know the program yet but maybe it was already including it to give you.  Then you said you already got it.    

[Critter-3]

Since the question about the stimulus doesn't happen until the END of the interview the program calculates the credit and includes it in the refund meter  UNTIL you indicate how much you got in the ADVANCE payment.  So you are not allowed to get it again.   I think the timing of this question is not ideal however the Refund-O-Meter is not to be believed until you have completed the entire interview.  

[NCperson]

@Critter-3 @VolvoGirl - while I haven't seen anyone post this question yet, turns out that the amount received in EIP / Stimulus payments is reported on Form 1444 and was sent to the taxpayer shortly after the payment was paid.  That form and the letter that came from Pres. Trump with the White House as the return address were one and the same!  I suspect many threw it out.  

[VolvoGirl]

Yes I got the 1444 letter and put it in my tax file.  Don't think that applies to this question.  So what about it?

[DoninGA]

Refund or Taxes Due?  Which was decreased?  Look at the meter, is it showing a tax refund or taxes due?

[Critter-3]

I played with a test return and the stimulus credit was indeed added to the refund meter  and is removed once the info about how much you already got in advance is entered.   So if you got $1200 and you enter $1200 then the credit of $1200 is adjusted correctly.   The fact that this happens at the very end of the program and changes the posted amount in the Refund-O-Meter by lowering the refund in may cases is unfortunate and confusing to many uneducated users.   Look how the meter drops by the same $3400 that was already received ...