

IRS YouTube VideosHaven't Filed a Tax Return in Years?: English | Spanish | ASL
IR-2013-29, March 14, 2013
WASHINGTON — Refunds totaling just over $917 million may be waiting for an estimated 984,400 taxpayers who did not file a federal income tax return for 2009, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, to collect the money, a return for 2009 must be filed with the IRS no later than Monday, April 15, 2013.
The IRS estimates that half the potential refunds for 2009 are more than $500.
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 2009 returns, the window closes on April 15, 2013. 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 2009 refund that their checks may be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2010 and 2011. 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 return, people stand to lose more than refund of taxes withheld or paid during 2009. In addition, many low-and-moderate income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). For 2009, the credit is worth as much as $5,657. The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds. The thresholds for 2009 were:
$43,279 ($48,279 if married filing jointly) for those with three or more qualifying children,
$40,295 ($45,295 if married filing jointly) for people with two qualifying children,
$35,463 ($40,463 if married filing jointly) for those with one qualifying child, and
$13,440 ($18,440 if married filing jointly) for people without qualifying 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 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676). Taxpayers who are missing Forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for 2009, 2010 or 2011 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 filing Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, with the IRS or by calling 800-829-1040.
 
Individuals Who Did Not File a 2009 Return with a Potential Refund

State or District


Individuals


Median Potential Refund


Total Potential Refunds* ($000)

Alabama

16,000


$565


$13,317

Alaska

5,000


$658


$6,107

Arizona

24,800


$509


$20,742

Arkansas

8,600


$560


$7,289

California

100,700


$518


$92,590

Colorado

17,900


$556


$16,860

Connecticut

12,100


$638


$13,031

Delaware

4,000


$561


$3,405

District of Columbia

4,200


$595


$4,151

Florida

62,700


$577


$60,746

Georgia

31,300


$538


$27,409

Hawaii

7,200


$599


$7,448

Idaho

3,800


$511


$2,984

Illinois

39,500


$626


$39,613

Indiana

20,300


$592


$17,547

Iowa

9,800


$581


$7,893

Kansas

9,900


$509


$7,774

Kentucky

11,300


$578


$9,552

Louisiana

18,700


$592


$17,843

Maine

3,700


$505


$2,771

Maryland

23,100


$564


$22,780

Massachusetts

23,300


$572


$22,756

Michigan

30,000


$600


$28,019

Minnesota

13,600


$528


$11,480

Mississippi

8,700


$529


$7,144

Missouri

18,700


$500


$14,674

Montana

3,100


$511


$2,529

Nebraska

4,600


$543


$3,808

Nevada

12,600


$559


$11,058

New Hampshire

4,200


$615


$3,891

New Jersey

31,600


$642


$33,192

New Mexico

7,100


$567


$6,450

New York

62,700


$620


$65,277

North Carolina

26,200


$503


$21,337

North Dakota

1,900


$524


$1,682

Ohio

32,100


$561


$26,714

Oklahoma

15,200


$573


$13,442

Oregon

15,200


$516


$12,253

Pennsylvania

38,200


$619


$34,505

Rhode Island

3,300


$612


$3,148

South Carolina

10,800


$530


$9,347

South Dakota

2,100


$546


$1,728

Tennessee

16,400


$550


$14,513

Texas

86,000


$578


$86,136

Utah

6,500


$503


$5,397

Vermont

1,700


$551


$1,397

Virginia

28,800


$559


$28,027

Washington

27,200


$644


$29,807

West Virginia

4,100


$598


$3,894

Wisconsin

11,500


$505


$9,430

Wyoming

2,400


$657


$2,539

Totals

984,400


$569


$917,426

* Excluding the Earned Income Tax Credit and other credits.
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