Filing Your Tax Returns

When you file your tax return, you provide the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with an accounting of your earnings, expenses, tax payment investments and other financial activities from the past year. If it is determined that you paid more in income taxes than you actually owe, you will receive a refund.

Determining How Much You Owe in Taxes

Forms and worksheets from the IRS and software/online programs based on IRS guidelines can help you determine how much you owe in taxes for the past year.

Credits and Deductions

Your income tax refund is not based solely on your income and tax payments alone. There are numerous deductions that can be subtracted from your income that will affect how much tax you actually owe. These deductions can include things like medical care. You can also earn tax credits.

Tax Refund Estimators

There are several tax refund estimators that will analyze your income and expenses against current IRS rules and tell you what your refund might be.

Not Getting Your Refund

If your tax payments during the year were lower than or equal to what you owe, obviously you won't be getting a tax refund. But even if you are entitled to a refund, it may not be paid to you if you owe money to the IRS or have other debts. Further, if you have a financial judgment against you, the court might order that your tax refund be turned over to your creditor.

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Tax Credit vs. Deduction

Tax Deductions

IRS Refund Inquiries