When you get money back—whether from a retailer, your employer, or the government—the question of whether it counts as taxable income isn't always obvious. A refund of something you already paid for usually isn't taxable, but refunds tied to income or benefits work differently. Understanding which refunds matter to the IRS and which don't helps you know what to report on your tax return and what to leave off.
These articles explain how different types of refunds are treated for tax purposes: refunds from purchases you made, overpayments to the government, refunds from work-related accounts, and money returned from various programs. You'll learn why some refunds show up on tax forms and others don't, and how to handle them correctly when you file.