I wanted to know why my refund was so low this year.

Please let me know if further information is needed for an answer.

2008
wages $12,101
federal income tax withheld $712
refund $712

2009
wages $18,093
federal income tax withheld $614
refund $160

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Did your number of exemptions change? Did you have income deductions or tax credits in 2008 that you don't have this year?

I knew I forgot to mention stuff...no nothing drastic has changed.

Exemptions are the same, it's just 1 for me. Everything is the same as last year except I paid about $40 less in student loan interest this year. I'm 24 and I don't qualify for the Earned Income Credit.

Any ideas why it's so low?

It looks like something changed on your W4 (tax withholding). Because in 2008, you made $6,000 less but paid in more taxes than you did in 2009. You need to check with your employer and make sure your W4 is how you want it to be.

I have checked and it's the way I want it to be!