IR-2018-44, March 8, 2018 WASHINGTON ―Unclaimed federal income tax refunds totaling about $1.1 billion may be waiting for an estimated 1 million taxpayers who did not file a 2014 federal income tax return, according to the Internal Revenue Service. To collect the money, these taxpayers must file their 2014 tax return with the IRS no later than this year's tax deadline, Tuesday, April 17. "We’re trying to connect a million people with their share of $1.1 billion in unclaimed refunds for 2014,” said Acting IRS Commissioner David Kautter. “Time is running out for people who haven’t filed tax returns to claim their refunds. Students, part-time workers and many others may have overlooked filing for 2014. And there’s no penalty for filing a late return if you’re due a refund.” The IRS estimates the midpoint for the potential refunds for 2014 to be $847; half of the refunds are more than $847 and half are less. In cases where a federal income tax return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a tax refund. If they do not file a tax return within three years, the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2014 tax returns, the window closes April 17, 2018. The law requires taxpayers to properly address, mail and ensure the tax return is postmarked by that date. The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2014 tax refund that their checks may be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2015 and 2016. In addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS or a 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 2014. Many low- and moderate-income workers may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). For 2014, the credit was worth as much as $6,143. The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds. The thresholds for 2014 were: $46,997 ($52,427 if married filing jointly) for those with three or more qualifying children; $43,756 ($49,186 if married filing jointly) for people with two qualifying children; $38,511 ($43,941 if married filing jointly) for those with one qualifying child, and; $14,590 ($20,020 if married filing jointly) for people without qualifying children. Current and prior year tax forms (such as the tax year 2014 Form 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ) 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 2014, 2015 or 2016 should request copies from their employer, bank or other payer. Taxpayers who are unable to get missing forms from their employer or other payer can order a free wage and income transcript at IRS.gov using the Get Transcript Online tool. Alternatively, they can file Form 4506-T to request a wage and income transcript. A wage and income transcript shows data from information returns received by the IRS, such as Forms W-2, 1099, 1098, Form 5498, and IRA contribution Information. Taxpayers can use the information on the transcript to file their tax return. State-by-state estimates of individuals who may be due 2014 income tax refunds State or District Estimated Number of Individuals Median Potential Refund Total Potential Refunds* Alabama 17,700 $836 $18,302,700 Alaska 4,500 $898 $5,263,200 Arizona 23,800 $750 $23,496,700 Arkansas 9,500 $808 $9,726,900 California 93,600 $785 $95,745,100 Colorado 20,400 $796 $20,887,500 Connecticut 11,000 $934 $12,740,100 Delaware 4,000 $883 $4,378,400 District of Columbia 3,000 $850 $3,237,700 Florida 69,800 $865 $74,040,300 Georgia 34,800 $772 $35,006,000 Hawaii 6,200 $898 $6,830,900 Idaho 4,500 $723 $4,376,100 Illinois 39,500 $895 $43,600,000 Indiana 22,700 $878 $24,353,000 Iowa 10,500 $885 $11,083,400 Kansas 11,100 $852 $11,645,300 Kentucky 13,600 $848 $14,035,100 Louisiana 19,900 $846 $21,700,800 Maine 4,000 $804 $3,941,700 Maryland 21,800 $853 $23,773,000 Massachusetts 22,800 $935 $26,018,500 Michigan 34,100 $845 $36,505,700 Minnesota 15,800 $785 $15,832,600 Mississippi 10,200 $777 $10,291,100 Missouri 23,000 $797 $23,212,400 Montana 3,500 $808 $3,617,700 Nebraska 5,600 $806 $5,629,100 Nevada 12,000 $831 $12,663,200 New Hampshire 4,600 $917 $5,169,500 New Jersey 28,600 $928 $32,452,500 New Mexico 7,800 $831 $8,472,600 New York 53,600 $913 $60,135,600 North Carolina 30,800 $791 $30,659,900 North Dakota 3,000 $952 $3,433,300 Ohio 38,100 $826 $38,956,700 Oklahoma 17,200 $855 $18,366,800 Oregon 15,100 $747 $14,816,600 Pennsylvania 39,300 $907 $42,866,100 Rhode Island 2,900 $916 $3,217,200 South Carolina 12,000 $757 $12,023,400 South Dakota 3,000 $866 $3,075,300 Tennessee 20,300 $837 $20,967,500 Texas 108,100 $899 $121,956,100 Utah 7,800 $754 $7,831,300 Vermont 2,100 $816 $2,028,600 Virginia 27,800 $828 $29,345,300 Washington 27,000 $894 $30,423,900 West Virginia 5,200 $914 $5,875,100 Wisconsin 13,400 $774 $13,041,800 Wyoming 3,000 $973 $3,556,300 Totals 1,043,600 $847 $1,110,605,600 * Excluding the Earned Income Tax
