IRS Says Georgians Owed Millions in 2011 Unclaimed Refunds

The Internal Revenue Service is telling Georgia residents that thousands may have unclaimed 2011 tax refunds waiting at the agency.

However, time is running out to claim them.

The IRS said that in Georgia, over $31 million in unclaimed refunds awaits 36,200 individuals in Georgia.

IRS Spokesman Mark Green said that this applies in many cases to people who may not have filed in 2011 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.

“What we find is more and more individuals who make, say for example, in 2011, less than $9,500, would not necessarily be required to file a tax return, but if they had any withholding whatsoever, they should file to get that money back.”

Green said it applies to college students in some cases, along with part-time employees and seniors, as examples.

He went on to say that in order to collect that money, a return for 2011 must be filed with the IRS no later than Wednesday, April 15.

“Look over information for tax year 2011,” said Green, who said people who did not file a return because they did not make enough to check to see if they had any withholdings at all.

“That is your money,” said Green. “We definitely want to make sure individuals get the full share of what they deserve.”

IRS officials also reminded taxpayers seeking a 2011 refund that their checks may be held if they have not filed tax returns from 2012 and 2013.

Also, officials said the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS, or their state tax agency, and may be used to offset unpaid child support or past due federal debts, such as student loans.