So far, tax refunds are lower because of the Trump tax scam

The politics of the tax cut will only go downhill from here. It arguably gave growth a moderate bump for two quarters; 4th q looks meh, and 1st q of 2019 meher. $2 trillion for nothing https://t.co/7FQKieO4jV

— Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) February 18, 2019

About 1 in 10 Maryland taxpayers, or 280,000 people, will see their total tax bill rise this year. https://t.co/UmcRvc4NPW

— The Baltimore Sun (@baltimoresun) February 18, 2019

Factcheck: This is not a good tweet. Yes, the average refund is down but that tells us nothing about people’s total tax bill.

We know that 80% of Americans got a tax cut (and only 5% got an increase).

Sen. Harris can criticize TCJA but it’s faulty to use the $170 refund metric https://t.co/myLaXZtzbu

— Heather Long (@byHeatherLong) February 12, 2019

There are 2 issues here.
1. Based on early data, the avg. tax refund amount is down 8%. Treasury is right that data is v. early on & could change.

2. That said, the IRS' OWN ESTIMATES say the # of people getting refunds will decline this year [See p. 13 https://t.co/lBgD8wfRAV ] https://t.co/DKQ70u1h0G

— Heather Long (@byHeatherLong) February 11, 2019

Do you have a lower 2018 tax refund?

3 key points:
1. Vast majority of Americans did get a tax cut in 2018.
2. Withholding for some went down, so you paid gov less during the year (and now get lower refund)
3. ~5% of people are paying more in taxes nowhttps://t.co/gRlCuLeYeS

— Heather Long (@byHeatherLong) February 10, 2019

Good thread here on taxes, tax refunds and tax withholding 👇 https://t.co/Fi7x1kfmnb

— Heather Long (@byHeatherLong) February 12, 2019

Early filers have been taking to social media to express their ire at finding that their refunds were a fraction of what they anticipated or — worse yet — that they would owe an unexpected bill to the IRS. https://t.co/AHKF2yY9qq

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) February 9, 2019

Want actual evidence that the #GOP tax scam raised taxes on millions of middle class Americans? Read below.

Or look at your tax refund (if you even get one). Many of you will see that @realDonaldTrump & Republicans lied to you.#SaturdayMorning Thoughts https://t.co/jKFP5Rjv4N

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 9, 2019

People complaining about #GOPTaxScam are simply doing their taxes wrong by not taking advantage of the new private jet deduction. #taxes2019 #taxrefund https://t.co/fZvVVZ1QtL

— Mecrob Gilman (@MecrobSux) February 6, 2019

Trump and the GOP Tax Plan Screwed Middle Class Parents Out of a Refund https://t.co/KzcMvOL1R1

— I'M A MOM (@PeggyJeanB) February 9, 2019

Ah, long awaited refund many Americans depend on, reveals it was all bullshit!
Trump scam only #maga for the 1% – 🤣🤣#GOPTaxScam

Hoo-boy! Lots of people are really unhappy with their tax refunds this year https://t.co/Y7tNsVSxfR

— Trish K. (@tkaz99) February 5, 2019

Perfect timing to see this RT from one year ago today, especially given all of the people complaining online about the huge tax increases they are seeing as they fill out their tax forms this year, owing taxes instead of getting a refund. https://t.co/lW5UakE3R8

— Jennifer Hayden (@Scout_Finch) February 5, 2019

It wasn't the racism,
It wasn't the sexism,
It wasn't the collusion,
It wasn't the betrayal,
It wasn't bowing to Putin,
It wasn't lying about the wall,

…it's because they won't get a big enough tax refund. THAT'S the final straw for these people. pic.twitter.com/LOE6H01GkR

— Rocked (@RockedNet) February 5, 2019

With filing season officially under way, a growing number of taxpayers are realizing that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act might be a double-edged sword: https://t.co/G51QSCm9Er @tomcostellonbc has the details now.

— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) February 9, 2019

Fewer Americans have received their tax refunds in the first week of this year’s tax filing season compared to the same period last year.https://t.co/4hR3ePhQ7K

— Axios (@axios) February 9, 2019