Preparing and filing taxes is one of those things almost nobody likes to do. Much like spring cleaning, it is something to be done and then forgotten about. If you are due a tax refund, however, this can result in some problems. This is particularly true with the IRS.
Every year, the Internal Revenue Service reports that it cannot get refund checks to a large number of taxpayers. No, it does not try to hide this fact. It actually will publish news releases and contact media outlets to get the world out. This year, the IRS is trying to find almost 100,000 people that it has refund checks for. The total dollar figure for outstanding refunds is over $92 million dollars. That is almost a grand per person the IRS cannot find.
Why can't the IRS find you? Well, there can be a variety of reasons. The most common is you have moved since filing your tax return, but did not tell the IRS. As a result, the IRS sent the refund check to your old address. Another situation that can arise occurs when a marriage happens and the IRS is not notified of any new address or name change. Contrary to what you may have heard, the IRS does not keep tabs on you every day. If you move, you have to let the agency know.
If you are still waiting for a tax refund check, you should get proactive. You can go to the IRS web site and use the ?Where is my Refund?? link on the home page to find out the status of your refund. You can also pick up the phone and call the agency at 800-829-1954.
Listen, we all hate preparing and filing our taxes. If you have suffered through the process and generated a refund, don't lose it. Take action and contact the IRS to get your money today.
