The List
Search and find Chicagoland events
From: to:
Still waiting for that IRS refund? IRS may be looking for you
print story
email story
Published: 11/6/2009 1:59 PM | Updated: 11/6/2009 3:08 PM

Send To:

E-mail:
To:

From:

Name:
E-mail:

Comments:

More Coverage

Related data

The IRS has about $3.6 million in undelivered refunds, because they can't find all of you to deliver them.

Perhaps you've moved, divorced or changed your name, or you may be a student moving back and forth from school. Whatever the reason, that money could be sitting at the IRS right now, said IRS spokeswoman Sue Hales, who is based in Chicago.

"There is no time limit (statute of limitations) for reissuing refund checks that have been returned to the IRS as undeliverable," Hales said Friday.

Hales said that the average undelivered refund amount is higher this year, compared to last year for both Illinois and the nation.

Nationwide, the average this year is $1,148, compared to $990 last year, a 16 percent increase. In Illinois, the average undelivered refund is $1,023, compared to $957 last year, or a 7 percent increase.

And you better get moving. Those undelivered funds are not gaining any interest, Hales said.

"The refund checks were originally issued timely and then returned to us because of a mailing address error," she said.

If you're still wondering what happened to your tax money, the IRS has prepared a special list of people for the Daily Herald. Your name could be on it.

Otherwise, you can visit IRS.gov and click on "Where's My Refund." Or call 800-829-1954. These resources also provide the necessary forms to fill out or get help in obtaining that money.

Outstanding IRS refunds
County Number Sum Average
COOK 2,134 $2,332,075 $1,094
DUPAGE 267 $278,562 $1,043
KANE 111 $117,593 $1,069
LAKE 178 $172,890 $971
WILL 108 $92,169 $861
MCHENRY 58 $30,149 $520

Reader Comments

Place a comment

You have 1200 characters left.

You must be signed in to participate in commenting

Already a member? Sign in:

Remember my sign in

Not a member?

Go to our member services section and join DailyHerald.com.

Sign up now
You have not completed the sign-up process.
Please check your e-mail for instructions
on how to activate your account.