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
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