account transcript

[mikec2]

Hi,
I am a dual citizen living in canada and canada is my tax home.
I file my US return each year and the balance is 0 each time.
This year i received a refund cheque of about $189 with no explanation.
In canada we get an assessment indicating the results of the tax return filed. I have never seen such a thing in the US system. Also i see no way to look online at your tax return details, there is such a system in canada.
It appears i will need to mail a 4506T to request a transcript.
The automated telephone system (1-800-829-1040) just hangs up on me, i presume it does not allow people outside USA.

Is there a simpler way i can review what happened in the processing of my return to generate this refund?

[nelsona]

I don't know of fatter way than sending the form. The phoneline is merely to request the transcript, not access your return.

You probably could phone IRS non-automated and, with sufficient identification, find out what changed.

I suspect it was either the child credit or the work credit .

If you have kids, you should be getting $1000 per child free and clear.

[mikec2]

Thank you. I believe you are correct. I received the transcript now. Indicating a credit on 1040 line 63 (schedule M). I have not cashed the cheque as yet and will be filling a 1040x form to correct the amount of my wages which should result in increasing my refund to the maximum for this credit of $400.

I am a bit confused about getting such a refund. I have filled out my US taxes and have ended up with net tax of 0 every year since 1989. My tax home is Canada and all taxes and refunds have come from Canada. It seems strange that the US would be giving me a refund in this case and I am hesitant to accept this money if it might in anyway cause me some liability down the road.

Any thoughts?

[nelsona]

It is a gift from IRS. If you had kids you would be getting $1000/kid every year, too.