Why do I only get $90 back from my state taxes when they withheld 1000 how come I don't get at least 500

Because $1,000 is very close to the correct amount of withholding for your income bracket, if you want $500 back they would have to take closer to $1,500 out in the first place.

That money back is only because you would have paid too much in the first place... if everything was done perfectly... you would get nothing back... or owe them nothing extra at the end of the year because they withheld too little..

I live in a high tax state and most single people claim 1 on federal and 0 on state so that they don't owe. You were lucky to just about break even. Be glad you didn't get 500 and pay more all year - would you rather have the IRS holding onto your money all year just so they could give some back, with no interest?

I agree with Smoothy. ANY refund is bad because it is an interest-free loan to the government.