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# **Media Relations Office Milwaukee, WI Release No: MIL-2008-01**

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| **Contact: Christopher Miller Wisconsin, Iowa &  | # **Te            |
| Nebraska**                                       | l. 414.231.2828** |
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| **For Release: Immediate**                       | **christopher.a   |
|                                                  | .miller@irs.gov** |
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|                                                  |                   |
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Nearly \$849,000 Waiting for Wisconsin Taxpayers

IRS Refund Checks Could Not Be Delivered

MILWAUKEE, November 14, 2007 -- Nearly \$849,000 is waiting for
Wisconsin taxpayers whose income tax refund checks were sent back to the
Internal Revenue Service as undeliverable. There are 1,164 Wisconsin
taxpayers on the list this year with an average check size of about
\$729. These checks can be reissued as soon as taxpayers correct or
update their addresses with the IRS. In some cases, a taxpayer has more
than one check waiting.

Across the U.S., an average refund of around \$953 is waiting for
115,478 taxpayers whose refund checks have been returned to the IRS. The
checks total slightly more than \$110 million.

> "We want people to get the money that belongs to them," said IRS
> Spokesperson Christopher Miller. "Visiting IRS.gov makes it easy for
> taxpayers to see if they have a refund waiting."
>
> The ["Where's My
> Refund?"](http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html)
> tool on IRS.gov enables taxpayers to check the status of their
> refunds. A taxpayer must submit his or her social security number,
> filing status and amount of refund shown on their 2006 return. The
> tool will provide the status of their refund and in some cases provide
> instructions on how to resolve delivery problems.
>
> Taxpayers can access an automated telephone version of "Where's My
> Refund?" by calling 1-800-829-1954.

**Most Refunds**

> The number of undeliverable refunds each year is a relatively small
> portion of all refunds returned to taxpayers. So far in 2007, the IRS
> has processed nearly 105 million refunds, totaling about \$240
> billion, either by mail or direct deposit.
>
> In fact, undeliverable refunds account for less than one-tenth of 1
> percent of all refunds, or about one in a thousand.
>
> "A refund check is normally returned as undeliverable when a taxpayer
> moves without updating his or her address with either the U.S. Postal
> Service or the IRS, according to Miller. "One of the best ways to
> avoid lost, stolen or undelivered checks is to choose Direct Deposit
> so your refund check goes right into your bank account. You can sign
> up on your tax form and it is available for both paper and e-filed
> returns."
>
> **Telephone Tax Refund**
>
> The list of taxpayers due undeliverable refunds this year rose about
> 21 percent from 95,746 last year. The sharp increase is due in part to
> the [Telephone Excise Tax
> Refund](http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=164032,00.html). The
> refund is a one-time payment available on 2006 federal income tax
> returns. It was designed to return to taxpayers previously collected
> long-distance telephone taxes. Individuals, businesses and tax-exempt
> organizations are eligible to request it.
>
> In Wisconsin, the list of taxpayers due undeliverable refunds rose
> nearly 30 percent from 900 last year, with the total amount of
> undeliverable refunds about \$200,000 more. The average undeliverable
> refund check rose only slightly more than last year's average of about
> \$719.
>
> **Updating Your Address**
>
> Refund checks are mailed to a taxpayer's last known address. Checks
> are returned to the IRS if a taxpayer moves without notifying the IRS
> or the U.S. Postal Service.
>
> Taxpayers can update their addresses with the IRS on the "Where's My
> Refund?" feature. Also, taxpayers checking on a refund will be
> prompted to provide an updated address if there is an undelivered
> check outstanding within the last 12 months. Taxpayers checking on a
> refund over the phone will be given instructions on how to update
> their address.
>
> A taxpayer can also ensure the IRS has his or her correct address by
> filing [Form 8822, Change of
> Address](http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8822.pdf). Download the form
> from IRS.gov or request it by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).
>
> Those who do not have access to the Internet and think they may be
> missing a refund should first check their records or contact their tax
> preparer, then call the IRS toll-free assistance line at
> 1-800-829-1040 to update their address.
>
> **Links:**
>
> [Where\'s My
> Refund?](http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html)
>
> [IRS Change of Address, Form
> 8822](http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8822.pdf)
>
> [Subscribe to IRS
> Newswire](http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/content/0,,id=105771,00.html)

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