$28 Million in Georgia in Unclaimed 2010 Tax Refunds

Refunds totaling almost $760 million may be waiting for an estimated 918-thousand taxpayers nationwide, who did not file a federal income tax return for 2010.

In Georgia, over $28 million in unclaimed refunds awaits nearly 23,000 individuals.  However, to collect the money, a return for 2010 must be filed with the IRS no later than April 15 this year.

The IRS estimates that the median unclaimed refund for tax-year 2010 in Georgia is $539, according to IRS spokesman Mark Green.

Green says many who don’t make enough to file a return, still had money taken out of their paychecks by the IRS. And now they’re owed that money.

“Generally, those individuals don’t file a tax return because they didn’t make enough to file a return,” Green said. “If you made under $10,000 you’re not required to file a tax return, but if you had any withholding, you need to file an amended return to get that money back. That’s your money.”

Green said people who fall into that category are part-time workers or students, for example.

But again, the  window to get your 2010 tax refund closes on April 15.  By failing to file a return, Green says people stand to lose that refund.  If taxpayers did not file a return for 2011, 2012, they should also file an amended returns for those years.

“If they file a return for 2010, 2011, and 2012, they stand to see a huge paycheck,” Green said. “If they don’t file a return for those years, that money goes back to the U.S. Treasury.”

The IRS also reminds taxpayers seeking a 2010 refund that their checks may be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2011 and 2012.

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.