IR-2015-44, March 11, 2015 WASHINGTON — Federal income tax refunds totaling $1 billion may be waiting for an estimated one million taxpayers who did not file a federal income tax return for 2011, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. To collect the money, these taxpayers must file a 2011 tax return with the IRS no later than Wednesday, April 15, 2015. "Time is running out for people who didn’t file a 2011 federal income tax return to claim their refund," said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. "People could be missing out on a substantial refund, especially students or part-time workers. Some people may not have filed because they didn’t make much money, but they may still be entitled to a refund.” The IRS estimates half of the potential refunds for 2011 are more than $698. In cases where a tax return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund. For 2011 tax returns, the window closes on April 15, 2015. If no return is filed to claim a refund within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury. The law requires the tax return be properly addressed, mailed and postmarked by that date. There is no penalty for filing a late return that qualifies for a refund. The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2011 refund that their checks may be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2012 and 2013. In addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS, or their state tax agency, and may be used to offset unpaid child support or past due federal debts, such as student loans. By failing to file a tax return, people stand to lose more than just their refund of taxes withheld or paid during 2011. Many low-and-moderate income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). For 2011, the credit is worth as much as $5,751. The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds. The thresholds for 2011 were: $43,998 ($49,078 if married filing jointly) for those with three or more qualifying children, $40,964 ($46,044 if married filing jointly) for people with two qualifying children, $36,052 ($41,132 if married filing jointly) for those with one qualifying child, and $13,660 ($18,740 if married filing jointly) for people without qualifying children. Current and prior year tax forms and instructions are available on the IRS.gov Forms and Publications page, or by calling toll-free: 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676). Taxpayers who are missing Forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for the years: 2011, 2012 or 2013 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 going to IRS.gov. Taxpayers can also file Form 4506-T to request a transcript of their tax return. Individuals who did not file a 2011 return with a potential refund: State or District Estimated Number of Individuals Median Potential Refund Total Potential Refunds* Alabama 19,900 $693 $17,794,000 Alaska 5,300 $795 $5,703,000 Arizona 27,700 $618 $23,649,000 Arkansas 10,600 $678 $9,371,000 California 103,700 $627 $92,209,000 Colorado 21,100 $668 $19,258,000 Connecticut 13,400 $777 $13,415,000 Delaware 4,800 $726 $4,579,000 District of Columbia 3,900 $736 $3,812,000 Florida 67,500 $720 $64,106,000 Georgia 36,200 $628 $31,250,000 Hawaii 7,100 $742 $6,842,000 Idaho 4,700 $595 $3,838,000 Illinois 44,000 $763 $43,177,000 Indiana 23,900 $732 $22,135,000 Iowa 11,100 $719 $10,128,000 Kansas 11,600 $667 $10,421,000 Kentucky 14,300 $736 $12,935,000 Louisiana 22,000 $693 $21,432,000 Maine 4,500 $645 $3,748,000 Maryland 25,000 $694 $23,628,000 Massachusetts 25,800 $736 $25,005,000 Michigan 36,200 $721 $34,254,000 Minnesota 16,500 $632 $14,148,000 Mississippi 11,100 $629 $9,625,000 Missouri 23,600 $655 $20,378,000 Montana 3,700 $676 $3,381,000 Nebraska 5,700 $683 $5,108,000 Nevada 13,300 $702 $12,185,000 New Hampshire 4,600 $775 $4,518,000 New Jersey 34,200 $780 $34,520,000 New Mexico 8,500 $688 $7,799,000 New York 63,400 $765 $62,809,000 North Carolina 31,700 $595 $26,248,000 North Dakota 2,600 $761 $2,591,000 Ohio 39,600 $699 $35,218,000 Oklahoma 19,300 $707 $17,988,000 Oregon 17,500 $598 $14,262,000 Pennsylvania 44,000 $770 $42,228,000 Rhode Island 3,400 $748 $3,270,000 South Carolina 13,200 $609 $11,160,000 South Dakota 2,600 $732 $2,480,000 Tennessee 20,700 $690 $18,630,000 Texas 101,800 $743 $103,164,000 Utah 8,000 $610 $6,944,000 Vermont 2,100 $707 $1,921,000 Virginia 32,100 $685 $29,647,000 Washington 28,400 $750 $28,705,000 West Virginia 5,100 $784 $5,023,000 Wisconsin 14,100 $621 $11,953,000 Wyoming 2,800 $835 $2,984,000 Totals 1,117,900 $698 $1,041,576,000 * Excluding the Earned Income Tax Credit and other credits. Follow the IRS on New Media Subscribe to IRS Newswire
