Iowans are being asked to check on their checks. The Internal Revenue Service sent out federal tax refund checks to more than 600 Iowans earlier this year that never reached their destinations.
IRS spokesman Christopher Miller says the agency’s trying to get Iowans what they’re due. "Nearly $439,000 is waiting for Iowa taxpayers whose income tax refund checks were sent back to the IRS as undeliverable," Miller says. "There are 627 Iowa taxpayers on the list this year with an average check size of about $700, so that money could come in handy."
He says there is a host of reasons why Iowans’ refund checks never made it to their mailboxes. "Usually it’s a change of address issue. They’ve moved and haven’t updated their address with the IRS or the postal service," according to Miller. "Other factors include life changes for some taxpayers, maybe marriage or students moving back and forth during the school year and their mail simply has not caught up with them."
He says the checks might also end up in limbo if taxpayers don’t fully fill out the name and address section on the 1040 tax form. Miller says Iowans who don’t recall if they got their refund check this year can check on that check by logging onto www.irs.gov and clicking on the section called "Where’s My Refund?"
"A taxpayer must submit his or her Social Security number, their filing status and the amount of the refund shown on their 2006 return. The tool will provide the status of the refund and in some cases provide instructions on how to resolve delivery problems so you can get that check," Miller says.
Checks can be reissued as soon as taxpayers correct or update their addresses with the IRS, and in some cases, they may have more than one check waiting, according to Miller.
If you don’t have Internet access, call 800-829-1954.