Does the IRS send refunds if you overpaid?

Question

I owed a lil over 6k this year (or so I thought I did) it was immediately taken back in April, LOL. I woke up this morning and found a refund of $147 from the US Treasury. I know this isn't my stimulus check which I'm told I qualify for but also told wouldn't be mailed for another few weeks based on the schedule, however, I'm wondering how I received this amount. They have never refunded me anything I've owed before but I'm usually very careful not to overpay.

Answer 1

Yes IRS does send checks for overpayment.  IRS also sends letter explained the overpayment and the refund.

Answer 2

They send refunds if there are math errors, use of an incorrect rate table or other issues that caused you to overpay.  I've received one in the past myself.  

There should also be some kind of short notice included with the check.

Answer 3

If you overpaid, then yes they send a refund.  If they found something on your return that was calculated incorrectly and that resulted in the refund, you should get a letter in a week or so saying what it's for.

Answer 4

They usually send a letter separate from the check.  The letter is supposed to arrive before the check but sometimes the check arrives before the letter.  You'll probably get a letter in a day or two explaining why they sent you the $147.

Answer 5

I got a check for $1.47