ATLANTA — Refunds totaling almost $760 million may be waiting for an estimated 918,600 taxpayers who did not file a federal income tax return for 2010, In Georgia, over $28 million in unclaimed refunds awaits nearly 23,000 individuals, the IRS announced Thursday.
To collect the money, a return for 2010 must be filed with the IRS no later than Tuesday, April 15.
The IRS estimates the median unclaimed refund for tax-year 2010 in Georgia is $539.
“Time is running out if you want to get your refund,” said IRS Spokesman Mark Green. “Taxpayers should review their 2010 statements for refundable credits and withholdings. We want all taxpayers to get the refund they’re due.”
“In cases where a return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund,” said Green. “If no return is filed to claim the refund within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury.”
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 2010 returns, the window closes on April 15. 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.
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 2010, 2011 or 2012 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 going to IRS.gov. Taxpayers can also file Form 4506-T to request a transcript of their tax return.