Thanks for taking the time to look. The question may be confusing. An I hope I posted in correct forum. If not I apologize up front. But here?s the situation , I?m sure other people have had this happen before as well. So I guess I?m jus hoping to find out the procedure of when the irs steps in to say say hey we?re keeping your refund. I did get my refund last year 2017 for the year 2016s return. I know this may seem like a long post. But I Tryed to be put as much detail as I could to explain my dilemma Evidently for the tax yr of 2015. Someone must?ve claimed my step children. I did get a refund for approx 2,000 for the children. Which was paid out in 2o16. Then later in 2016 I got a letter from the irs wanting further info about everything. And after much faxing info. School records. Children?s dr records. Copies of marriage certificate. Etc. They did reply that we were In deed the children?s 1st right to claim the children. However. They still didn?t close the case. They then asked for further info on proof that we supported the kids. Rent receipts. Power bills etc. to which I faxed copies etc. but the irs said they get so many faxes that it may take months before they get to them. Now within those months. I got a irs bill saying that I owed about 3,600$. To pay back the refund I got in 2015 (2,000). Plus interest around ,1600. Totaling 3,600$. I called the number an after hours an hours on hold I finally got someone on the phone to which they said yes in deed. It shows we owe that amount. But I disputed that amount saying again. That I?ve already been told they have agreed we were the 1st people eligible to claim the children. Going by the list that eligibility that the irs goes by we were in fact the rightful party to claim the kids. However like I said they wanted further examination of proof of money spent supporting the children. And I explained I already faced that. But the lady had said it hasn?t showed in the system due to the time it takes for them to go thru faxes. Ok. So in 2017 I filed for 2016. Again. With kids jus as I have in 2014. 2015 2016 and 2017 Because whether they say we owe or not we still have to file a truthful tax return. So I was worried that For 2017. I may not get a refund Because if all this. But. The tax return went thru without any problems. An got back about the same amount as tax yr 2015. Received in 2015. And 2016. Now. Again it?s tax time an have filed same as ever. An we are expecting a return within the next 2 weeks or so. But. I have never got any further letters from the irs Saying what there final assessment was for the 2015 tax yr payout in 2016. I got the refund for 2016 in 2017 no problem. Should I be worrried if there gonna try to keep our refund this year? Which is the 2017 yr paying out in 2018. It shows on efile that taxes are in process of payout. But our taxes have been basically the same for the years 2014thru 2017. But the year 2015 is the only time they?ve ever asked about the kids. So I?m sorry for the rant. But should I have not got a letter certified mail or something if they are still pursuing the $3600. Or a letter stating they will be keeping this yrs taxes for payment towards what there saying was a debt owed for repayment. Everything I google or research says. They will keep refund to payout any installments etc. but I have never not 1 time said I agree w there assessment. An have disputed everything. An still don?t know who for sure tried to claim the kids in 2015. I know this is a very weird question. But I did get my refund last year. But I also know the irs is like any other big Corp. they mess up. Or will jus do as they want as they go. Any help or clarification on this matter would be greatly appreciated