Nov 5, 2009 12:43 pm US/Central
IRS Looks To Return $1.3M In Minn. Refund Checks
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
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The Internal Revenue Service is looking to give $1.3 million to Minnesota taxpayers who are due federal refund checks.
The Internal Revenue Service is looking to give $1.3 million to Minnesota taxpayers who are due federal refund checks.
The IRS says 1,290 federal refund checks were returned by the U.S. Postal Service with incorrect mailing addresses.
And some taxpayers are due more than one check. However, the IRS said a taxpayer only needs to update their address once.
If taxpayers discover they are missing a refund, the just need to update their address with the IRS, said Carrie Resch, IRS spokesperson. The IRS will then send out all checks due.
"The sooner you do, the quicker you can get your money," she said.
Undeliverable refund checks for Minnesotans average $1,009 this year, compared to $778 last year.
Nationally, 107,831 taxpayers are due to receive a combined $124 million in returned refund checks. Those average $1,148 this year, compared to $990 last year.
Average undeliverable refund amounts rose by 16 percent this year, which is in line with the 16 percent rise in average refunds for all tax returns in the latest filing season. Several changes in tax law likely played a role in boosting refunds, including the First-Time Homebuyer's Credit and the Recovery Rebate Credit, among others.
Most of the checks mailed by the IRS each year reach the correct address. Only a very small percent are returned by the U.S. Postal Service as undeliverable.
Taxpayers can update their addresses with the "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov. The tool enables taxpayers to check the status of their refunds and, in some cases, provides instructions on how to resolve delivery problems. To use "Where's My Refund?" a taxpayer needs their Social Security number, filing status and amount of refund shown on their 2008 return.
Taxpayers can access a telephone version of "Where's My Refund?" by calling 1-800-829-1954.
The IRS encourages taxpayers to choose direct deposit when they file their returns because it puts an end to lost, stolen or undeliverable checks. Taxpayers can receive refunds directly into personal checking or savings accounts. Direct deposit is available for filers of both paper and electronic returns.
The IRS also encourages taxpayers to file their tax returns electronically because e-file eliminates the risk of lost paper returns. E-file also reduces errors on tax returns and speeds up refunds.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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