Last year the IRS had 99,123 tax refund checks worth $153 million – an average of $1547 per taxpayer – returned by the post office as undeliverable, due to unreported changes of name and/or address. Taxpayers should ensure they file IRS Form 8822 – “Change of Address” when they move. This is particularly important after a death or marriage, and for college students who file a return in the spring using a campus address.
Undeliverable income tax refunds are but one small component of unclaimed funds held by the IRS. A significantly greater number of checks are delivered, but for one reason or another are never cashed.
Update: Over 8 million Americans have still failed to claim or cash Economic Impact Payments – Stimulus Checks – worth in excess of $10.6 billion arising from The Economic Impact Payment CARES Act — $1,200; The COVID-19 related Tax Relief Act of 2020 — $600; The American Rescue Plan Act — $1400.
In addition, starting in July 2021, eligible families became entitled to receive advance Child Tax Credit payments of $3,600 for each children under age 6 and $3,000 for those between 6 and 17. Payments are sent out in monthly installments.
U.S. Treasury checks, including those issued by the IRS, are negotiable for one year from the date of issue. Taxpayers must request reissue if a tax refund check has been lost, destroyed or voided due to the passage of time.
For recovery and claims information assistance on unclaimed IRS tax refunds, stimulus and Child Tax Credit payments that were never received, complete the form below:
