State News
IRS has more than $5 million in refund checks for 4,200 Georgia taxpayers
ATLANTA — The Internal Revenue Service is looking for 4,200 Georgia taxpayers who are due refund checks worth more than $5 million. The checks were returned to the IRS by the U.S. Postal Service due to mailing address errors.
“In Georgia, the average undeliverable refund is $1,233”, said Mark S. Green, IRS spokesman for Georgia. “Last year, the average was $1,036. We’d like to get this money back to taxpayers as quickly as possible. All we need is an updated address and we can reissue the check.”
Nationwide, 107,831 refunds totaling $123.5 million were returned to the IRS. Undeliverable refund checks average $1,148 this year, compared to $990 last year. Some taxpayers are due more than one check.
Average undeliverable refunds rose by 16 percent this year nationwide. Several changes in tax law likely played a role in boosting refunds, including the First-Time Homebuyer’s Credit and the Recovery Rebate Credit.
Taxpayers can find out if they are due a tax refund by visiting the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov and clicking on “Where’s My Refund.” To use this feature, enter information from the 2008 tax return including the Social Security number, filing status and refund amount. Taxpayers will get the status of their refund check and in some cases also get instructions to resolve potential account problems.
Taxpayers can also check on the status of the refund by calling 1-800-829-1954. Taxpayers checking on a refund by phone will be given instructions on how to update their address.
Green said refund checks go astray for reasons that vary with each taxpayer. Many times it’s because a life change – such as a marriage or divorce – causes an address change. If a taxpayer moves and does not notify the IRS or the U.S. Postal Service, a check sent to their last known address is returned to the IRS.
After moving, taxpayers can ensure the IRS has their correct address by filing Form 8822, Change of Address, with the IRS. The form is available on the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov or by calling 1-800-829-3676.
The vast majority of checks mailed out by the IRS reach their rightful owner every year. Only a very small percent are returned by the U.S. Postal Service as undeliverable.
Green said taxpayers can avoid undeliverable tax refunds by choosing to have their refunds deposited directly into a bank account. Direct deposit guards against undelivered, lost or stolen refund checks. It’s available for both paper and e-filed returns.
IRS also encourages taxpayers to e-file their tax returns. E-file reduces errors and speeds up refunds.
- State News
-
-
Senate green lights ban on texting while driving
The Senate proposal to ban texting while driving has received unanimous support.
-
Fulton County schools cutting jobs
The Fulton County school board has voted to eliminate nearly 1,000 jobs, more than half of them teaching positions.
-
Hospital offering discount on overdue bills
Charlton Memorial Hospital is offering patients with overdue bills a chance to pay them off at a discount.
-
UGA president: administration pay cuts possible
University of Georgia President Michael Adams says budget cuts next year could include pay reductions for top administrators, including himself.
-
Perdue launches National Agriculture Awareness Week
Awards given for environmental stewardship and Flavor of Georgia Contest.
-
Construction begins on road project in Catoosa
Construction work will begin on Monday on the second road project in Catoosa County funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
-
Ga. chief judge says budget cuts threaten courts
Georgia’s top judge warned state lawmakers Tuesday that deep cuts to the state budget are making it “increasingly difficult” for the courts to do their constitutionally mandated duties.
-
Budget task force focuses on long-term solutions
Business leaders are offering dozens of suggestions on how to streamline Georgia state government but most won’t help this year’s budget crisis and some would be political nonstarters, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle said Tuesday.
-
Roethlisberger yet to be interviewed by Ga. police
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has yet to meet with authorities in Georgia who are investigating a sexual assault allegation made by a 20-year-old college student.
-
Columbus, Ga. tp help pay for crime lab
Columbus has agreed to pay up to $66,500 to keep the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab in the city open through June.
- More State News Headlines
-
Senate green lights ban on texting while driving
