Over 20,000 Massachusetts taxpayers are due a refund by the Internal Revenue Service, but it’s not for 2015. The refunds date back to 2012 and filers have until April 18 to act.
The IRS announced that the average refund due 20,600 residents is $767. The total value due Massachusetts taxpayers is $19.7 million. The national average refund is $718 with $950 million due to taxpayers nationwide.
According to an IRS statement, in cases where a tax return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund. If no return is filed to claim a refund within three years, the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2012 tax returns, the window closes on April 18, 2016.
IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said, “We especially encourage students and others who didn’t earn much money to look into this situation because they may still be entitled to a refund. Don’t forget, there’s no penalty for filing a late return if you’re due a refund.”
Taxpayers seeking a 2012 refund might have their checks held if they have not filed tax returns for 2013 and 2014. In addition, 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.
