Recovery Rebate Credits Getting Separated from 2020 Tax Refund?

Over the last few days, as federal refunds have started to get disbursed, we have been noticing some unexpected behavior regarding tax return acknowledgements and tax refund figures. While investigating refund figure changes, we noticed that the discrepancy appears to be the exact amount of the recovery rebate credit from line 30 on the 1040. We have had no preemptive notification of this from industry banks nor the IRS, and we are working to get more information. The general assumption is that due to the nature of tax return offsets, the recovery rebate credit is being separated to ensure that it does not accidentally get offset due to a regularly permissible tax refund offset reason (e.g.  student loans, prior year tax debt, etc.). The recovery rebate credit is only able to be offset to pay child support. 

If you have noticed that your client’s refund appears to be less than the requested amount, check the recovery rebate credit line on the 1040. 

Additionally, we understand that many of your clients’ may have filed a stimulus only return, and we are working to get information on how those refunds may be impacted.