TECHNOLOGY TIPS – DID YOU GET YOUR RETURN FOR 2011?

TECHNOLOGY TIPS – DID YOU GET YOUR RETURN FOR 2011?

Each year the Internal Revenue Service sends an annual notification of refunds that were undeliverable. The IRS it is looking to return $153.3 million in undelivered tax refund checks. In all 99123 taxpayers are due refund checks this year that could not be delivered because of mailing address errors which is an average check amount of $1547 this year.

Taxpayers who believe their refund check may have been returned to the IRS as undelivered should use the "Where’s My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov. The tool will provide the status of their refund and in some cases instructions on how to resolve delivery problems.

While only a small percentage of checks mailed out by the IRS are returned as undelivered taxpayers can put an end to lost stolen or undelivered checks by choosing direct deposit when they file either paper or electronic returns. Last year more than 78.4 million taxpayers chose to receive their refund through direct deposit.

The IRS also recommends that taxpayers file their tax returns electronically because e-file eliminates the risk of lost paper returns. E-file also reduces errors on tax returns and speeds up refunds. The public should be aware that the IRS does not contact taxpayers by e-mail to alert them of pending refunds and does not ask for personal or financial information through email.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO