Unclaimed tax refund checks total $30K in Suwannee

Local News

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November 16, 2009

By Carnell Hawthorne Jr., Reporter

Eleven people whose last known addresses were in Suwannee County have appeared on the Internal Revenue Service list for unclaimed, failed delivery tax refund checks, according to recent IRS documents.

The IRS has reported over $15 million in undeliverable tax refund checks in the state, $29,784 in Suwannee County alone.

"The checks were returned to the IRS by the U.S. Postal Service due to mailing address errors," according to IRS Florida spokesperson Mike Dobzinski.

"Refund checks go astray for reasons that vary with each taxpayer," Dobzinski said. "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."

Nationally, 107,831 refunds totaling $123.5 million were returned to the IRS this year. The average undelivered check totaled $1,148, compared to $990 last year, the IRS reported.

To avoid check delivery failure, taxpayers are asked to ensure their correct address by filing the IRS change of address Form 8822. Forms are available at www.irs.gov or by calling 1-800-829-3676.

The following people are listed in Suwannee for undelivered tax refund checks: Kimberly Botbyl; Kimberly M. Burnett; Don Charles; Joel W. Howard Sr.; Ervin R. Jackson; Kimberly S. Law; Carolyn G. Meeks; Ruben and Amanda Morales; Thomas L. White; Kendall Mason; and Lloyd A. Macklin.

Taxpayers due for a refund are asked to go online at www.irs.gov and click on the link "Where's My Refund." Social security number, filing status and refund amount information is required to proceed. Taxpayers can also call 1-800-829-1954 to check on the status of their refund. Taxpayers checking on their refund by phone will be given instructions on how to update their address.