IR-2011-21, Feb. 28, 2011 WASHINGTON — 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 PDF, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, with the IRS. Individuals Who Did Not File a 2007 Return with a Potential Refund State Individuals Median Potential Refund Total Potential 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. Follow the IRS on New Media Subscribe to IRS Newswire
