Taxes

I think I'm in a state of shock.  I just filed my 2024 tax return, and for the first time in absolutely ages I'm owed a refund.  And a not inconsiderable amount.  Now I'm absolutely paranoid that there must be some mistake.  I use tax preparation software to prepare my return - so I don't really understand the nuts and bolts of how the numbers are calculated.  Frankly, the US tax system is a mystery and I don't think I'll ever really understand it or make the most of it.  All I can hope is that I entered all the numbers correctly and that I entered all the information I needed to.  Most of it is electronically imported, so the chances of making a mistake are limited.  Admittedly, I have made significantly bigger estimated tax payments over the last year than I ever have before.  But the difference between how much I owed last year and how I am owed this year is startling and unsettling.  Hopefully enough federal employees working at IRS will have been fired, courtesy of the magnificent current administration, that the chances of my tax return being reviewed is low.