Missing $1k from Refund - No Debts but IRS Claims 2022 Balance?

This might be what's called an offset, which could possibly be related to a tax debt that perhaps wasn't properly recorded in your online account. Sometimes, the IRS systems don't necessarily update the online portal immediately, which could potentially explain why you're seeing $0 owed despite the offset. It's also somewhat possible that it could be related to a non-IRS debt like student loans, state taxes, or possibly child support that might have been sent to the Treasury Offset Program.

You need to get your hands on your 2022 account transcript ASAP. I was in exactly the same situation exactly 3 weeks ago - missing $1,247 from my refund with no prior notice. I used https://taxr.ai to analyze my transcript and it spotted a TC 420 code from 2022 that indicated an audit adjustment I was never notified about. The system explained exactly what each code meant and why my refund was reduced. You have exactly 60 days from the date of the offset to dispute it if it's incorrect. Don't wait - I nearly missed my deadline!

This happens more often than you think. Here's what's likely going on: • The IRS made an adjustment to your 2022 return without clear notification • The system flagged an amount due but failed to update your online account view • Your 2024 refund was automatically reduced to cover the supposed 2022 balance • The notice explaining the offset is probably still in the mail (they're notoriously slow) You need to request an Account Transcript specifically for 2022 to see what happened. The regular transcript won't show this information clearly.

Per Internal Revenue Code §6402(a), the IRS is authorized to credit overpayments against any liability in respect of an internal revenue tax. However, under IRS Publication 594, you are entitled to a notice explaining any offset. If you haven't received this notice, I would recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to reach an IRS representative. They can help you bypass the long hold times and connect with someone who can access your complete account history. According to Regulation §301.6402-1, you have the right to request a detailed explanation of any offset applied to your refund.

You need to check your Account Transcript immediately. The Master File system sometimes shows a different balance than the Integrated Data Retrieval System that powers the online account interface. I'd recommend requesting a Tax Account Transcript for 2022 through the Get Transcript tool and looking specifically for TC 300 series codes which indicate assessments. There's a 45-day window for disputing offsets, so time is of the essence.

This exact thing happened to me. Call the Treasury Offset Program directly at 800-304-3107. Don't waste time with the IRS line. The TOP line will tell you exactly who claimed your refund and why. In my case, it was an old state tax debt I didn't know about. You need to talk to them first before you can fix anything. The IRS just does the withholding - they often don't know the specific reason.

I solved this exact problem last month. Here's what I did: 1. First, I requested my 2022 account transcript (not return transcript) 2. I found a TC 420 code on my transcript showing an adjustment 3. Then I found a TC 290 showing additional tax assessed 4. I called the IRS and asked specifically about these codes 5. Turns out they had adjusted my return due to a missing 1099 form 6. I never received the adjustment notice they claimed to have sent 7. I filed Form 843 to request abatement of the penalty portion I was surprised how easy it was once I knew what to look for. The IRS actually approved my penalty abatement request in just 3 weeks!