Did you know the IRS Has $1.1 Billion for People Who Have Not Filed a 2007 Income Tax Return

IRS Has $1.1 Billion for People Who Have Not Filed a 2007 Income Tax Return

Refunds totaling more than $1.1 billion may be waiting for nearly 1.1 million people who did not file a federal income tax return for 2007, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, to collect the money, a return for 2007 must be filed with the IRS no later than Monday, April 18, 2011.

The IRS estimates that half of these potential 2007 refunds are $640 or more.
Some people may not have filed because they had too little income to require filing a tax return even though they had taxes withheld from their wages or made quarterly estimated payments. In cases where a return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund. If no return is filed to claim a refund within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury.

For 2007 returns, the window closes on April 18, 2011. The law requires that the return be properly addressed, mailed and postmarked by that date. There is no penalty for filing a late return qualifying for a refund.

The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2007 refund that their checks will be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2008 and 2009. In addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS, and may be used to offset unpaid child support or past due federal debts such as student loans.

By failing to file a return, people stand to lose more than a refund of taxes withheld or paid during 2007. In addition, many low-and-moderate income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds, which in 2007 were $39,783 for those with two or more children, $35,241 for people with one child, and $14,590 for those with no children. For more information, visit the EITC Home Page.

Current and prior year tax forms and instructions are available on the Forms and Publications page of IRS.gov or by calling toll-free 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). Taxpayers who are missing Forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for 2007, 2008 or 2009 should request copies from their employer, bank or other payer. If these efforts are unsuccessful, taxpayers can get a free transcript showing information from these year-end documents by ordering on-line, calling 1-800-908-9946, or by filing Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, with the IRS.

Individuals Who Did Not File a 2007 Return with a Potential Refund 

Individuals Who Did Not File a 2007 Return with a Potential Refund

                                                                        Median             Total
State                                        Individuals        Potential           Potential
                                                                      Refunds            Refunds ($000)*

Alabama                                   17,600             $634                $15,649

Alaska                                      5,200               $688                $6,545

Arizona                                    31,000             $543                $29,217

Arkansas                                  9,100               $606                $8,111

California                                  124,000           $597                $129,205

Colorado                                  20,900             $588                $21,591

Connecticut                              11,900             $714                $14,769

Delaware                                  4,000              $658                $4,121

District of Columbia                  4,400               $629                $4,751

Florida                                     74,500             $665                $87,293

Georgia                                    36,800             $590                $35,475

Hawaii                                      7,600               $717                $8,960

Idaho                                       4,600               $540                $4,340

Illinois                                       38,800             $692                $44,168

Indiana                                     20,200             $679                $19,864

Iowa                                        9,500               $668                $8,411

Kansas                                     10,400             $621                $9,601

Kentucky                                 11,200             $660                $10,449

Louisiana                                  19,500             $663                $20,327

Maine                                       3,600               $606                $4,398

Maryland                                  25,100             $645                $27,727

Massachusetts                          23,000             $701                $26,881

Michigan                                  30,800             $663                $31,943

Minnesota                                14,000             $604                $13,786

Mississippi                                9,400               $585                $8,440

Missouri                                   20,300             $604                $18,588

Montana                                   3,400               $607               $3,185

Nebraska                                 4,700               $620                $4,509

Nevada                                    15,000             $630                $15,575

New Hampshire                       3,900               $741                $4,960

New Jersey                              31,000             $705                $36,504

New Mexico                            7,900               $594                $7,510

New York                                62,600            $706                $78,405

North Carolina                         29,300             $565                $26,385

North Dakota                           1,600               $635                $1,877

Ohio                                         33,200             $620                $30,240

Oklahoma                                15,200             $620                $14,280

Oregon                                     17,600             $521                $15,309

Pennsylvania                             34,600             $686                $35,317

Rhode Island                            3,100               $644                $3,380

South Carolina                          12,400             $561                $11,132

South Dakota                           2,000               $639                $1,937

Tennessee                                17,200             $633                $17,049

Texas                                       91,700             $692                $104,801

Utah                                         7,600               $560                $8,392

Vermont                                   1,700               $672                $1,694

Virginia                                     29,800             $629                $31,380

Washington                              28,200             $702                $34,692

West Virginia                            3,500               $686                $3,484

Wisconsin                                 12,900             $593                $11,609

Wyoming                                  2,700               $788                $3,350

Grand Total                                        1,060,200             $640                $1,120,566

 *Excluding the Earned Income Tax Credit and other credits.

from irs.gov