WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has announced that federal income tax refunds totaling $950 million may be waiting for an estimated 1 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. 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.
Current and prior year tax forms 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 employers, banks or other payers.
Taxpayers who are unable to get missing forms from their employers or other payers should go to IRS.gov and use the “Get a Transcript by Mail” button to order paper copies of their transcripts and have them sent to their addresses of record. Taxpayers can also file Form 4506-T to request transcripts of their tax returns. Taxpayers can use the information on the transcripts to file their returns.
In Ohio, 37,300 people did not file 2012 tax returns. The median potential refund in the state, $717, is just a dollar off the the naitonal average. The total amount of potential refunds in Ohio is $33,321,000.
