IR-2016-38, March 10, 2016 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that Federal income tax refunds totaling $950 million may be waiting for an estimated one million taxpayers who did not file a federal income tax return for 2012. To collect the money, these taxpayers must file a 2012 tax return with the IRS no later than this year's April tax deadline. "A surprising number of people across the country overlook claiming tax refunds each year. But the clock is ticking for taxpayers who didn’t file a 2012 federal income tax return, leaving nearly $1 billion in refunds unclaimed," said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. "We especially encourage students and others who didn't earn much money to look into this situation because they may still be entitled to a refund. Don't forget, there’s no penalty for filing a late return if you’re due a refund.” The IRS estimates the midpoint for potential refunds for 2012 to be $718, with half being worth more than $718 and half being worth less. 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. If no return is filed to claim a refund within three years, the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2012 tax returns, the window closes on April 18, 2016 (or April 19 for taxpayers in Maine and Massachusetts). The law requires the tax return to be properly addressed, mailed and postmarked by that date. The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2012 refund that their checks may be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2013 and 2014. 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 2012. Many low-and-moderate income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). For 2012, the credit is worth as much as $5,891. The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds. The thresholds for 2012 were: $45,060 ($50,270 if married filing jointly) for those with three or more qualifying children, $41,952 ($47,162 if married filing jointly) for people with two qualifying children, $36,920 ($42,130 if married filing jointly) for those with one qualifying child, and $13,980 ($19,190 if married filing jointly) for people without qualifying children. Current and prior year tax forms (such as the Tax Year 2012 Form 1040 PDF, 1040-A PDF and 1040-EZ PDF) 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 2012, 2013 or 2014 should request copies from their employer, bank or other payer. Taxpayers who are unable to get missing forms from their employer or other payer should go to IRS.gov and use the "Get a Transcript by Mail" button to order a paper copy of their transcript and have it sent to their address of record. Taxpayers can also file Form 4506-T to request a transcript of their tax return. Taxpayers can use the information on the transcript to file their return. Individuals who did not file a 2012 return with a potential refund: State or District Estimated Number of Individuals Median Potential Refund Total Potential Refunds* Alabama 18,700 $713 $16,684,000 Alaska 4,700 $834 $5,019,000 Arizona 26,000 $631 $22,078,000 Arkansas 10,100 $692 $8,987,000 California 94,900 $656 $82,782,000 Colorado 19,300 $667 $16,961,000 Connecticut 11,800 $803 $11,511,000 Delaware 4,200 $771 $4,012,000 District of Columbia 3,600 $741 $3,343,000 Florida 64,700 $721 $58,598,000 Georgia 34,300 $642 $29,395,000 Hawaii 6,500 $740 $6,091,000 Idaho 4,400 $607 $3,652,000 Illinois 40,300 $782 $38,893,000 Indiana 22,000 $751 $20,448,000 Iowa 10,800 $764 $9,917,000 Kansas 11,000 $699 $9,811,000 Kentucky 13,500 $746 $12,122,000 Louisiana 20,600 $726 $19,767,000 Maine 4,100 $651 $3,432,000 Maryland 22,600 $722 $21,108,000 Massachusetts 20,600 $767 $19,714,000 Michigan 34,600 $733 $32,118,000 Minnesota 15,200 $657 $12,981,000 Mississippi 10,800 $646 $9,325,000 Missouri 22,800 $675 $19,886,000 Montana 3,500 $669 $3,083,000 Nebraska 5,400 $695 $4,720,000 Nevada 12,500 $704 $11,280,000 New Hampshire 4,400 $804 $4,284,000 New Jersey 30,600 $803 $30,016,000 New Mexico 7,700 $715 $7,181,000 New York 57,600 $796 $56,310,000 North Carolina 29,700 $619 $24,469,000 North Dakota 2,600 $831 $2,682,000 Ohio 37,300 $717 $33,321,000 Oklahoma 18,500 $744 $17,411,000 Oregon 15,700 $620 $12,820,000 Pennsylvania 40,200 $796 $38,243,000 Rhode Island 3,200 $777 $3,014,000 South Carolina 12,500 $633 $10,648,000 South Dakota 2,800 $785 $2,707,000 Tennessee 19,700 $702 $17,318,000 Texas 96,400 $771 $93,998,000 Utah 7,400 $640 $6,316,000 Vermont 2,000 $698 $1,689,000 Virginia 29,000 $698 $26,297,000 Washington 26,100 $764 $25,292,000 West Virginia 5,100 $800 $4,870,000 Wisconsin 12,900 $647 $10,837,000 Wyoming 2,700 $851 $2,908,000 Totals 1,037,600 $718 $950,349,000 * Excluding the Earned Income Tax Credit and other credits. 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