Claim Your Refund From The IRS

Refunds totaling more than $61 million may be waiting for 60,000 New Yorkers who did not file a federal income tax return for 2008, the Internal Revenue Service said.

However, to collect the money a return for 2008 must be filed with the IRS no later than April 17.

The IRS estimates that half of these potential 2008 refunds are for $686 or more.

“Some people may not have filed because they had too little income to require filing a tax return even though they had taxes withheld from their wages or made quarterly estimated payments” said IRS New York spokeswoman Dianne Besunder. “In cases where a 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 property of the U.S. Treasury."

The law requires that the return be properly addressed, mailed and postmarked by April 17. There is no penalty for filing a late return qualifying for a refund.

The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2008 refund that their checks may be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2009 and 2010. In addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS and may be used to offset unpaid child support or past-due federal debts, such as student loans.

By failing to file a return, people stand to lose more than refunds of taxes withheld or paid during 2008. Some people, especially those who did not receive an economic stimulus payment that year, may qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit.

In addition, many low-and moderate-income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds. The thresholds for 2008 were:

$38,646 ($41,646 if married filing jointly) for those with two or more qualifying children

$33,995 ($36,995 if married filing jointly) for people with one qualifying child

$12,880 ($15,880 if married filing jointly) for those with no qualifying children

For more information, visit the EITC Home Page on the IRS's website.