why do we get tax refunds?

Question

you get a refund for what, expenses that the government decides to pay for?

Answer 1

You get a refund if you over paid.

Answer 2

I also had a date of the 25th with HR Block and was really nervous when I kept calling and was told there was $0 on my card. When I checked the IRS website yesterday it said that my refund was processed and I should have it by Jan 31st. When I checked the website today it said that my refund is scheduled to be direct deposited on Jan 30th. It never said anything about a processing delay like some other posts have said. I've read all the answers on this post and have not seen anyone else that said that they were given a deposit date by the IRS on the website. Wondering if anyone else has gotten that message with an earlier date than Jan 30th. Just trying to figure out if that will be accurate or if I will be pulling my hair out next Tuesday.

Answer 3

At the end of the year, you file a tax return that shows the calculation of how much your total tax is for the year. That number is compared to what you had withheld or paid in through estimated payments. If you paid in too much, you get the overpayment back as a refund.

It's no different that paying for something at a store with a bill bigger than the cost of what you're buying - you'll get some change. That's what your refund is.

Answer 4

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RE:
why do we get tax refunds?
you get a refund for what, expenses that the government decides to pay for?

Answer 5

you get a refund because, based off of the amount you paid to the government over the year, they decided you paid too much for the amount you made.
some people, like myself, use this to my advantage, and while i support myself, over the year i claim zero dependants. therefore i get a huge refund when tax season comes around.
other people decide they want that extra few bucks each paycheck, and claim extra dependants. they typically end up owing the government money.

Answer 6

No, you get a refund for overpaying your taxes. Period.

Answer 7

No,,,,You paid too much tax for the year.

Answer 8

well, why do we pay income tax at all? i mean, you pay sales tax, so youre getting taxed on both ends. think of it this way, if you hire a company to do work for you, you have to pay sales tax on the labor that they charge you. so why do you pay taxes on labor that you charge your employer?

Answer 9

because the government insists your employer take money out of your check to send to them-then when too much is taken, they have to give it back