New Twist:   IRS Seeks to Pay Taxpayers

In an effort to try and return missed refunds to taxpayers, the IRS makes an annual announcement to come get your money. Currently, nearly 100,000 taxpayers have not received refunds timely due to inaccurate mailing addresses, non-forwarding a current address after a move, theft, or other reasons associated with paper checks going through the mail system.

 The IRS stated Wednesday that $153 Million is currently owed to taxpayers from previous years refunds. The average refund is a not-to-shabby $1,547 this year which could go a long way as the holiday season approaches. The giant flat-screen TV may be back on your list after all!

The IRS states that many undeliverable refunds could be avoided if the taxpayers would e-file and direct deposit the refund into a financial institution. Many taxpayers may be unaware that the IRS can deposit refunds into multiple accounts, or they may even purchase savings bonds with a refund.

Taxpayers wishing to check on a missed refund may log onto www.irs.gov and use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool, or by calling 1-800-829-1954. The IRS does not correspond with taxpayers via email, and warns that lost refund promises though email are nothing more than a phishing scam. You may report such scams to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov , but you are advised not to open, reply, click links, or release any personal information to anyone through emails without knowing who you are dealing with.