IR-2009-16, March 3, 2009
WASHINGTON — Unclaimed refunds totaling approximately $1.3 billion are awaiting over a million people who did not file a federal income tax return for 2005, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, to collect the money, a return for 2005 must be filed with the IRS no later than Wednesday, April 15, 2009.
Especially in these tough economic times, people should not lose out on money that is rightfully theirs," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “People should check their records, especially if they had taxes withheld from their paychecks but were not required to file a tax return.  They may be leaving money on the table, including valuable tax credits that can mean even more money in their pockets."
The IRS estimates that half of those who could claim refunds for tax year 2005 would receive more than $581. Some individuals 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 the refund within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2005 returns, the window closes on April 15, 2009. 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 2005 refund that their checks will be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2006 or 2007. 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 2005. Many low-income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Generally, unmarried individuals qualified for the EITC if in 2005 they earned less than $35,263 and had more than one qualifying child living with them, earned less than $31,030 with one qualifying child, or earned less than $11,750 and had no qualifying child. Limits are slightly higher for married individuals filing jointly.
Current and prior year tax forms and instructions are available on the Forms and Publications web page of IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). Information about the Earned Income Tax Credit and how to claim it is also available on IRS.gov. Taxpayers who need help also can call the toll-free IRS help line at 1-800-829-1040.
Individuals Who Did Not File a 2005 Return with an Estimated Refund
 

 


Individuals


Median
Estimated Refund *


Total Estimated Refunds
($000) *


 
Alabama

21,400


$585


$18,167


 
Alaska

6,100


$665


$6,925


 
Arizona

36,900


$487


$31,234


 
Arkansas

11,400


$547


$9,756


 
California

154,500


$537


$144,580


 
Colorado

23,700


$532


$20,676


 
Connecticut

16,000


$659


$18,234


 
Delaware

5,400


$592


$5,117


Dist of
Columbia

5,300


$564


$5,518


 
Florida

99,300


$609


$108,162


 
Georgia

44,400


$538


$39,381


 
Hawaii

9,400


$639


$11,108


 
Idaho

5,300


$464


$4,113


 
Illinois

50,400


$640


$53,166


 
Indiana

26,600


$624


$24,041


 
Iowa

11,800


$587


$9,367


 
Kansas

12,900


$555


$10,804


 
Kentucky

14,600


$588


$12,506


 
Louisiana

24,900


$594


$24,388


 
Maine

4,900


$532


$3,928


 
Maryland

30,600


$584


$29,967


 
Massachusetts

29,600


$638


$31,942


 
Michigan

45,100


$609


$42,390


 
Minnesota

19,700


$531


$17,085


 
Mississippi

12,200


$533


$10,311


 
Missouri

26,000


$550


$21,237


 
Montana

3,700


$509


$3,125


 
Nebraska

5,900


$548


$5,091


 
Nevada

18,300


$551


$17,588


 
New Hampshire

5,500


$667


$5,759


 
New Jersey

41,100


$646


$43,761


 
New Mexico

9,400


$532


$7,724


 
New York

76,800


$639


$82,994


 
North Carolina

37,300


$515


$29,645


 
North Dakota

2,000


$553


$1,647


 
Ohio

44,600


$571


$37,290


 
Oklahoma

17,000


$546


$14,541


 
Oregon

21,000


$467


$16,138


 
Pennsylvania

47,800


$623


$43,958


 
Rhode Island

4,500


$610


$4,332


 
South Carolina

16,000


$506


$13,240


 
South Dakota

2,400


$602


$2,046


 
Tennessee

21,900


$586


$19,917


 
Texas

103,000


$624


$105,241


 
Utah

8,300


$496


$8,334


 
Vermont

2,300


$550


$1,730


 
Virginia

40,200


$576


$40,657


 
Washington

35,600


$624


$39,414


 
West Virginia

4,900


$627


$4,389


 
Wisconsin

16,900


$535


$13,825


 
Wyoming

2,800


$649


$2,785


Armed Forces


5,500


$800


$4,540


US Possessions/Territories


200


$754


$320


Total


1,343,000


$581


$1,284,133

 
* Excluding the Earned Income Credit and other credits.
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