Why the IRS Modified Your Refund After You Filed

One of the most confusing moments for taxpayers is discovering that their IRS refund amount changed — without warning. You filed your return expecting a certain refund, but the amount issued is higher or lower than what was calculated.

To find the answer, you need to look at one specific IRS transcript code:

TC 290 — Additional Tax Assessed (or Adjusted)

This is the silent adjustment code — the IRS’s way of increasing or decreasing the tax amount on your account. It often appears alongside other codes, but TC 290 is the one that directly affects your final refund.

What TC 290 Actually Means

TC 290 indicates that the IRS made an adjustment to your tax, which may result in:

• A lower refund than expected
• A higher refund than expected
• A reduced balance due
• An increased tax liability

Contrary to popular belief, TC 290 doesn’t automatically mean an “additional tax” — it simply means an adjustment occurred.

Why TC 290 Happens

There are multiple reasons the IRS may adjust your return behind the scenes:

1. Income mismatches

If your employer or issuer filed a W-2 or 1099 with different numbers than your return, the IRS may recalculate.

2. Credit changes

If you claimed:

• EITC
• CTC / ACTC
• AOTC
• Premium Tax Credit

These may be adjusted based on IRS verification.

3. Math corrections

IRS software checks:

• Withholding math
• Credit calculations
• Standard deduction amounts
• Dependent claims

These corrections can shift the final tax owed.

4. Marketplace health insurance reconciliation

Missing or incorrect Form 8962 can lead to TC 290 adjustments.

5. Dependents flagged

If two taxpayers claimed the same dependent, an adjustment may be triggered.

6. Underreported income

IRS may detect additional income from:

• Side work
• Bank interest
• Brokerage accounts
• Retirement distributions

7. Payroll withholding corrections

Incorrect or inconsistent withholding amounts may be rebalanced.

The Impact: Why Your Refund Changed

• If TC 290 increases your tax liability → refund decreases
• If TC 290 decreases tax liability → refund increases

Some taxpayers are pleasantly surprised:
TC 290 sometimes adds to the refund.

Example:
The IRS finds additional withholding credited to your account.

How Big Can the Adjustment Be?

This varies widely:

• Small corrections: $1–$50
• Typical adjustments: $200–$1,500
• Major adjustments: $5,000+
• Rare extreme cases: $10,000+

When adjustments are large, taxpayers often receive an IRS notice explaining the change.

Related Transcript Codes You May Also See

TC 290 often appears with:

• TC 971 — Notice Issued
• TC 570 — Refund Hold
• TC 826 — Refund Applied to Debt
• TC 766/768 — Credits Applied
• TC 846 — Refund Issued

This code combination tells the story of what happened to your return.

Will the IRS Notify You About TC 290?

If the adjustment materially changes your return, the IRS typically sends a notice. Common notices include:

• CP12 — Math Error Correction
• CP2000 — Proposed IRS Adjustment
• CP21 — Return Changed
• CP22 — Tax Return Adjustment

But sometimes, especially with small adjustments:

The IRS may not send a notice.

The only evidence will be on your transcript.

What To Do If You Disagree With the Adjustment

You have options:

• Call the IRS for clarification
• Request a transcript explanation
• Dispute the adjustment in writing
• Provide supporting documentation
• File an amended return (in some cases)

If the IRS is wrong, you can challenge it.

What If You Owe More After TC 290?

If TC 290 increases tax liability:

• Your refund may be reduced
  or
• You may owe a balance

If you cannot pay immediately, you can enter an Installment Agreement.

TC 290 is the IRS’s adjustment code — the behind-the-scenes recalculation that modifies your final refund. It does not mean fraud or punishment. It simply indicates the IRS changed your tax amount after reviewing your return.

If your refund amount changed — TC 290 is the reason.

Review the rest of your transcript and IRS notices to see what triggered the adjustment and whether the IRS applied it correctly.