Why your tax refund may be 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 which federal or state agency requested the offset?
- How do I correct an offset that was made in error?
LAST UPDATED: March 26, 2025
Have a question?
Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.
Call USAGov
Chat with USAGov