Why would someone who got fired half way through the year and did not get another job get more taxes back than someone who had a job all year and worked hard?

There are different tax brackets. The more youmake doesn't necessarily mean you will get back more. If that person has a child or was a student etc.. that can make the difference. For instance, my sister worked all year and paid a lot of federal and state taxes.. I worked part time at minimum wage and barely paid in taxes.. She is only getting back 2000 because she made too much income without a child, and i am getting back 3000 because i was in the average income tax bracket for someone without a child. My brother isn't getting back anything because he made blow the bracket amount for a single person.. hopes this helps