IR-2004-18, Feb. 9, 2004
WASHINGTON — Unclaimed refunds totaling more than $2.5 billion are awaiting nearly 2 million people who failed to file a 2000 income tax return, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. In order to collect the money, however, a return must be filed with an IRS office no later than April 15, 2004.
The IRS estimates that half of those who could claim refunds would receive more than $529. In some cases, individuals had taxes withheld from their wages, or made payments against their taxes out of self-employed earnings, but had too little income to require filing a tax return. Some taxpayers may also be eligible for the refundable Earned Income Tax Credit.
“The clock is running if you want to get your refund,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. “People who aren’t required to file sometimes overlook that they had tax withheld. Don’t wait until it’s too late. We want all taxpayers to get the refund they’re due.”
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 the refund within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2000 returns, the window closes on April 15, 2004. The law requires that the return be properly addressed, postmarked and mailed by that date. There is no penalty assessed by the IRS for filing a late return qualifying for a refund.
The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2000 refund that their checks will be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2001 or 2002. In addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS and may be used to satisfy unpaid child support or past due federal debts such as student loans.
By failing to file a return, individuals stand to lose more than refunds of taxes withheld or paid during 2000. Many low-income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Although eligible taxpayers may get a refund when their EITC is more than their tax, those who file returns more than three years late would be able only to offset their tax. They would not be able to receive refunds if the credit exceeded their tax.
Generally, individuals qualified for the EITC in 2000 if they earned less than $31,152 and had more than one qualifying child living with them, less than $27,413 with one qualifying child, or less than $10,380 and had no qualifying child.
Current and prior year tax forms are available on IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). Taxpayers who need help also can call the IRS help line at 1-800-829-1040.
The table below shows a state-by-state breakdown of estimates for individuals who failed to file a 2000 return with a refund due:


Individuals Who Failed to File a 2000 Return
			and Refund Amounts (Estimated)*


Location


Individuals


Median Refund


Total Refunds ($000)


Alabama


31,100


$516


$28,915


Alaska


9,100


$529


$13,264


Arizona


42,400


$455


$43,965


Arkansas


17,800


$501


$18,015


California


225,300


$496


$291,900


Colorado


32,200


$499


$41,907


Connecticut


21,900


$602


$38,774


Delaware


7,000


$521


$6,908


District of Columbia


7,800


$504


$11,770


Florida


128,700


$533


$190,191


Georgia


70,500


$500


$74,394


Hawaii


11,400


$561


$15,343


Idaho


6,900


$445


$6,749


Illinois


79,800


$575


$126,259


Indiana


38,500


$558


$42,219


Iowa


17,700


$516


$14,795


Kansas


20,000


$518


$18,950


Kentucky


20,500


$531


$21,135


Louisiana


30,500


$507


$33,599


Maine


6,900


$470


$8,829


Maryland


41,200


$527


$50,904


Massachusetts


45,300


$590


$84,454


Michigan


81,200


$567


$96,031


Minnesota


27,200


$492


$30,212


Mississippi


16,900


$467


$14,515


Missouri


39,200


$504


$40,373


Montana


4,900


$467


$4,566


Nebraska


9,300


$496


$8,902


Nevada


23,000


$500


$28,895


New Hampshire


7,400


$616


$13,989


New Jersey


63,000


$587


$96,007


New Mexico


13,300


$474


$11,486


New York


119,900


$570


$234,995


North Carolina


58,300


$469


$56,819


North Dakota


2,400


$495


$2,029


Ohio


64,600


$518


$68,621


Oklahoma


26,000


$505


$25,665


Oregon


29,000


$448


$28,248


Pennsylvania


63,700


$560


$82,245


Rhode Island


6,800


$548


$8,486


South Carolina


23,500


$457


$22,124


South Dakota


3,200


$502


$2,939


Tennessee


31,600


$523


$35,668


Texas


157,800


$563


$203,353


Utah


11,500


$457


$13,146


Vermont


3,200


$523


$4,914


Virginia


56,000


$522


$70,070


Washington


50,100


$551


$68,681


West Virginia


5,900


$546


$7,610


Wisconsin


23,400


$498


$23,692


Wyoming


3,000


$540


$4,235


Armed Forces


7,800


$641


$5,770


U.S. Possessions


1,500


$570


$1,808


Foreign Addresses


5,500


$1,000


$26,200


Total


1,952,600


$529


$2,525,533


*Excluding Earned Income Tax Credit.


Related Item: Prior Years Forms and Publications
 
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