What this line means
The sum of all other payments and refundable credits from Part II, lines 9 through 13z. This total combines the net premium tax credit, extension payments, excess Social Security tax, fuel tax credits, and miscellaneous other payments. Unlike the nonrefundable credits in Part I, these amounts can exceed your tax liability and generate a refund. This total flows to Form 1040 line 31.
Does this apply to you?
- You claimed any credit or payment on Schedule 3 lines 9 through 13z
- You have refundable credits or prior payments that reduce the amount you owe or increase your refund
Easy to overlook
Part II credits are refundable — they can produce a refund even if you owe no tax The credits in Part II are fundamentally different from Part I. Nonrefundable credits (Part I) can only reduce your tax to zero. 1 Refundable credits and payments (Part II) can go beyond zero and result in the IRS sending you money. Excess Social Security tax withheld, extension payments, and fuel tax credits all generate refunds regardless of your tax liability. IRS Schedule 3 Instructions — Line 14
Filers who complete Part I sometimes skip Part II Schedule 3 has two distinct parts with different purposes. Filers who claim education credits or energy credits in Part I sometimes stop there and never check Part II. 2 If you had multiple employers, paid with an extension, or bought Marketplace health insurance, Part II has credits waiting to be claimed. General filing pattern — Part II credits missed because filers stop at Part I
Watch out for this
Double-counting amounts already reported on Form 1040 lines 25 through 26. Federal income tax withheld (line 25) and estimated tax payments (line 26) are entered directly on Form 1040. Schedule 3 Part II is for additional payments and credits not covered by those lines. Entering withholding or estimated payments on both Form 1040 and Schedule 3 inflates your credits.
Footnotes
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IRS Schedule 3 (Form 1040) Instructions, Part II. https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040s3 ↩
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IRS Schedule 3 (Form 1040) Instructions, General Information. https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040s3 ↩