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-TPDF, 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.
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