Clock Ticking on $950 Million in Tax Refunds from 2012

The Internal Revenue Service says that federal income tax refunds totaling $950 million are waiting for an estimated one 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. CPAs and Enrolled Agents (EAs) can help taxpayers file past-year returns.

“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 (or April 19 for taxpayers in Maine and Massachusetts). 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. The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds. The thresholds for 2012 were:

$45,060 ($50,270 if married filing jointly) for those with three or more qualifying children,
$41,952 ($47,162 if married filing jointly) for people with two qualifying children,
$36,920 ($42,130 if married filing jointly) for those with one qualifying child, and
$13,980 ($19,190 if married filing jointly) for people without qualifying children.

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 employer, bank or other payer.

Taxpayers who are unable to get missing forms from their employer or other payer should go to IRS.gov and use the “Get a Transcript by Mail” button to order a paper copy of their transcript and have it sent to their address of record. Taxpayers can also file Form 4506-T to request a transcript of their tax return. Taxpayers can use the information on the transcript to file their return.

Individuals who did not file a 2012 return with a potential refund:

State or District	Estimated Number of Individuals	Median Potential Refund	Total Potential Refunds*
Alabama	18,700	$713	$16,684,000
Alaska	4,700	$834	$5,019,000
Arizona	26,000	$631	$22,078,000
Arkansas	10,100	$692	$8,987,000
California	94,900	$656	$82,782,000
Colorado	19,300	$667	$16,961,000
Connecticut	11,800	$803	$11,511,000
Delaware	4,200	$771	$4,012,000
District of Columbia	3,600	$741	$3,343,000
Florida	64,700	$721	$58,598,000
Georgia	34,300	$642	$29,395,000
Hawaii	6,500	$740	$6,091,000
Idaho	4,400	$607	$3,652,000
Illinois	40,300	$782	$38,893,000
Indiana	22,000	$751	$20,448,000
Iowa	10,800	$764	$9,917,000
Kansas	11,000	$699	$9,811,000
Kentucky	13,500	$746	$12,122,000
Louisiana	20,600	$726	$19,767,000
Maine	4,100	$651	$3,432,000
Maryland	22,600	$722	$21,108,000
Massachusetts	20,600	$767	$19,714,000
Michigan	34,600	$733	$32,118,000
Minnesota	15,200	$657	$12,981,000
Mississippi	10,800	$646	$9,325,000
Missouri	22,800	$675	$19,886,000
Montana	3,500	$669	$3,083,000
Nebraska	5,400	$695	$4,720,000
Nevada	12,500	$704	$11,280,000
New Hampshire	4,400	$804	$4,284,000
New Jersey	30,600	$803	$30,016,000
New Mexico	7,700	$715	$7,181,000
New York	57,600	$796	$56,310,000
North Carolina	29,700	$619	$24,469,000
North Dakota	2,600	$831	$2,682,000
Ohio	37,300	$717	$33,321,000
Oklahoma	18,500	$744	$17,411,000
Oregon	15,700	$620	$12,820,000
Pennsylvania	40,200	$796	$38,243,000
Rhode Island	3,200	$777	$3,014,000
South Carolina	12,500	$633	$10,648,000
South Dakota	2,800	$785	$2,707,000
Tennessee	19,700	$702	$17,318,000
Texas	96,400	$771	$93,998,000
Utah	7,400	$640	$6,316,000
Vermont	2,000	$698	$1,689,000
Virginia	29,000	$698	$26,297,000
Washington	26,100	$764	$25,292,000
West Virginia	5,100	$800	$4,870,000
Wisconsin	12,900	$647	$10,837,000
Wyoming	2,700	$851	$2,908,000
Totals	1,037,600	$718	$950,349,000