# How Much Are You Getting Back From The IRS? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 6, 2011, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403 "2011-02-06T16:13:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/1 "2011-02-06T16:13:19Z")
I got my forms and did my federal taxes last night. I worked a ton of temp jobs in the last year, so I was shocked to get them all so soon. But anyway, I did a good job at not letting the government hold too much of my money. I’m getting back a whopping $33.00 🙂 So how much are you all getting back? If I can be so rude to ask, and I obviously am 😃 ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/2 "2011-02-06T16:18:58Z")
Last year I had to pay in about $10k. That was because cash flow was so bad during the year that I wasn’t able to pay enough in quarterly estimates. This year I think I will only have to pay in about $3k. That’s a big improvement. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DadWagonDriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@DadWagonDriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DadWagonDriver)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/3 "2011-02-06T16:26:30Z")
I’m getting back about $5,700 from the feds. My wife had our daughter at the end of 2009, and I don’t really know what to do with my withholding status to change the amount that gets taken out each week. I think we both still just claim “1”; what the hell should I change that to? How do I figure it out? I hate my own ignorance sometimes! ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/4 "2011-02-06T16:31:02Z")
Try [www.irs.gov](http://www.irs.gov) which has instructions for all of the forms on it. Alternatively, the person at your workplace who is in charge of W-9 forms should be able to help you. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/5 "2011-02-06T17:20:17Z")
I have to pay about $400 this year - first time I’ve ever had to pay in some 35 years of doing taxes. (Our daughter aged out of being a dependent) Technically, this is supposed to be a good thing, as it means I am no longer giving the government a free loan of my money for the better part of the year. But it isn’t as comfortable as getting a nice sum back. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/6 "2011-02-06T17:58:52Z")
I’m getting back a five-figure negative number. Gotta love being self-employed. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/7 "2011-02-06T18:09:03Z")
We’re getting the first time home buyers credit this year: yay! Eight grand plus whatever else we were going to get back. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/8 "2011-02-06T18:10:03Z")
I’m getting back under a hundred dollars. Gotta love being unemployed. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/9 "2011-02-06T19:01:31Z")
I did a very quick and dirty look this past week and I think I’ll owe like $200…I’ll find out for sure later this week when I do them for real. Speaking of, what’s the best free service to use? I don’t need anything fancy that I have to pay for, since I just take the standard deduction + student loan interest, and all my income is regular old wages. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/10 "2011-02-06T19:14:46Z")
I’m getting back -$154. Which kind of bums me out, because I started my taxes before I got Mrs Shibb’s two W-2s, and was first looking at about $6600. Then I added the first W-2 she received, and it dropped to $5700. I thought even after the second there should be something left, but she had earnings of almost $30k on the second and had just under $1k withheld. I know it’s better to not getting anything back, but I was sort of looking forward to the cash. I still need to go back when I have time and double check everything, but right now I’m a lot less motivated. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/11 "2011-02-06T19:20:59Z")
$3300 for me. I pay a shitload in mortgage interest so that covers most of it. **bouv** TurboTax Online is free if you don’t itemize. Just opt out of state and check out your state’s web site for their free options. ---
**Author:** ![Cell\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Cell\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cell_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/12 "2011-02-06T19:25:04Z")
I owe $973 to the Feds due to filing married but separate. Ahh, the joy of divorce. The state wants $1. Really? Is it even worth it? ---
**Author:** ![CatherineZeta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@CatherineZeta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatherineZeta)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/13 "2011-02-06T19:26:35Z")
$724. I have a feeling the money will be a lot less next year, this is my last tax year of being a student. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/14 "2011-02-06T19:38:13Z")
For 2010; Before my ex wife decided to fuck me over: 4800 bucks. Now that she has decided to fuck me over: -500 Grrr ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/15 "2011-02-06T19:57:54Z")
I used TaxAct online because I’m lazy. I’m getting $894 back. Actually, I’ve already done my taxes and have received my refund just this past Thursday. I’ve already spent most of it. Bills and back rent and stuff. This is pretty amazing to me, as I’ve been unemployed all year long. When I was working, I would usually only get a refund of around 2-300 dollars. Since I’ve been unemployed, these are the biggest refunds I’ve ever received. Don’t get me started on the State refund. (MD sucks like an Electrolux.) Trust me, I’d rather have a job. But the refunds are a nice wallet booster after the Xmas spending season. ---
**Author:** ![Trubie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71c47a/32.png) [@Trubie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trubie)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/16 "2011-02-06T20:06:17Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > I have to pay about $400 this year - first time I’ve ever had to pay in some 35 years of doing taxes. (Our daughter aged out of being a dependent) Technically, this is supposed to be a good thing, as it means I am no longer giving the government a free loan of my money for the better part of the year. But it isn’t as comfortable as getting a nice sum back. Do you mean someone can be too old to claim or that she’s just at the age where she’s become independent? Just asking because I’ve heard people can claim elderly parents and relatives. ---
**Author:** ![Trubie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71c47a/32.png) [@Trubie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trubie)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/17 "2011-02-06T20:15:05Z")
I didn’t work the whole year. I wasn’t on unemployment, though. So, I’m getting back $239. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/18 "2011-02-06T21:52:43Z")
Yeah, just assume that everybody’s getting something back. Leaving out the profanity that ran through my initial response like a sulfurous seam of coal through an Illinois lake bed, I’m paying out about $1600. Fortunately, thanks (?!) to my even more pitiful income in 2009, there will be no penalty. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/19 "2011-02-06T22:44:13Z")
We’ve been paying about 1.5k the past few years. ☹ We need to pop out some kids or something. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403/20 "2011-02-06T23:30:12Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > I’m getting back a five-figure negative number. Gotta love being self-employed. I _do_ love being self-employed, even with the higher tax burden and the paying in and everything. The freedom and flexibility are well worth it. Kudos to you on getting a five-figure loan from Uncle Sam for 12 months, no interest. 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-getting-back-from-the-irs/570403.md?page=2)