Why is the total refund calculation I get incorrect? My tax liability is lower than my total taxes paid, but the refund (a subtraction of them) is negative (=tax due).

[VolvoGirl]

Do you have any other taxes on lines 17-23?  The total tax is line 24.  Which lines do you think are wrong?  Did the right withholding show up on lines 25?  

[rjs]

What are the specific line numbers on Form 1040 that you are calling "tax liability," "total taxes paid," "refund," and "tax due"? What are the exact amounts on those lines?

What are the exact amounts on Form 1040 lines 24, 33, 34, 35a, 36, 37, and 38?

If you have an estimated tax penalty on Form 1040 line 38, that is subtracted from your refund or added to the amount you owe.

[tal_00]

It was Medicare. Turns out TurboTax doesn't include it in the summary, so the taxes owed only reflect 1040 line 16 without 23. I had to pay TurboTax and download my forms in PDF to see the difference.