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 1040PDF, 1040-APDF and 1040-EZPDF) 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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