IRS holding $11 million in undeliverable checks

ATLANTA - The Internal Revenue Service is looking for Georgia taxpayers who are missing more than 12,500 economic stimulus checks totaling about $7.1 million and more than 3,900 regular refund checks totaling about $3.9 million that were returned by the U.S. Postal Service due to mailing address errors.

Included are 167 undelivered checks belonging to people whose last known address was in Hall County. They total $110,834 and average $644.

"Our Web site makes it easy for taxpayers to track undelivered refund and economic stimulus checks," IRS Spokesman Mark Green said. "Our goal is to get this money back in the hands of the people it belongs to as quickly as possible. As soon as we get the correct address, we'll start the check on its way.

"Taxpayers can update their addresses and claim their refunds online or by phone," Green said. "All a taxpayer has to do is update his or her address once. The IRS will then send out all checks due."

Stimulus Checks

It is crucial that taxpayers who may be due a stimulus check update their addresses with the IRS by Nov. 28, 2008. By law, economic stimulus checks must be sent out by Dec. 31 of this year. The undeliverable economic stimulus checks average $572.

The "Where's My Stimulus Payment?" tool on IRS.gov is the quickest and easiest way for a taxpayer to check the status of a stimulus check and update his or her address. Taxpayers without Internet access should call 1-866-234-2942.

Regular Refunds

The regular refund checks that were returned to the IRS average $994. These checks are resent as soon as taxpayers update their address.

Taxpayers can update their addresses with the "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov. It enables taxpayers to check the status of their refunds. A taxpayer must submit his or her social security number, filing status and amount of refund shown on their 2007 return. The tool will provide the status of their refund and in some cases provide instructions on how to resolve delivery problems.

Taxpayers checking on a refund over the phone will be given instructions on how to update their addresses. Taxpayers can access a telephone version of "Where' s My Refund?" by calling 1-800-829-1954.

Unsure?

Taxpayers not sure of which type of check they may be due should check on a potential economic stimulus check first because of the looming deadline. See instructions above.

For Most People Nationwide

The vast majority of checks mailed out by the IRS reach their rightful owner every year. Only a very small percent are returned by the U.S. Postal Service as undeliverable.

Through September 2008, the government distributed 116 million economic stimulus payments with only about 279,000 checks being undeliverable or about one-quarter of one percent. Meanwhile, the IRS has distributed more than 105 million regular refunds this year with only about 104,600 being undeliverable or one-tenth of 1 percent.

Avoiding Future Problems

The IRS encourages taxpayers to choose direct deposit when they file their return because it puts an end to lost, stolen or undeliverable checks. Taxpayers can receive refunds directly into personal checking or savings accounts. Direct deposit is available for filers of both paper and electronic returns.

The IRS also encourages taxpayers to file their tax returns electronically because e-file eliminates the risk of lost paper returns. E-file also reduces errors and speeds up refunds.

Individuals can also ensure the IRS has their correct address by filing Form 8822, Change of Address. Download the form from IRS.gov or request it by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).