What to do if your tax refund is lower than expected
If you owe money to a federal or state agency, the federal government may use part or all of your federal tax refund to repay the debt. This is called a tax refund offset.
If your tax refund is lower than you calculated, it may be due to a tax refund offset for an unpaid debt such as child support.
Get answers to frequently asked questions about the Treasury Offset Program (TOP), including:
- Why was my tax refund reduced?
- How do I find out that federal or state agency requested the offset?
- How do I correct an offset that was made in error?
LAST UPDATED: January 5, 2024
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