(I guess this is a little bit on turbotax.) My first year on the RO1 grant, I got an $8000 refund and $245 from the state. (Holy crap!)

Then, I worked hard and applied for a prestigious training grant. Got it. Hooray! Line on CV, good for career, etc. etc. (Exact same work I was doing, though).

Turns out that training grant changes my income from "earned income" to "unearned income".

So for the last 2 years, I've watched my refund get up to nearly $8000 on turbotax, then drop to $1000 when I put un my "unearned income". 55+ hours/week sure feels earned to me.

Oh, and now I owe the state $800. . .so guess where that federal refund is going?

OK, Rant over.