IRS might have your tax refund

By Jason Foster - jfoster@heraldonline.com

If you've moved recently but didn't tell the IRS, there might be some money with your name on it.

The IRS released its annual undeliverable returns list this week, and it includes more than 70 people from York, Chester and Lancaster counties who are owed tax refund money.

In York County, the average undelivered refund is $997, IRS spokesman Mark Hanson said.

In all, more than 4,500 people in the Carolinas are owed more than $4.5 million. These people are urged to file a change of address form with the IRS as soon as possible to get their money delivered.

If you're one of them, here's what you need to know:

Form 8822, “Change of Address,” is available at IRS.gov (http://www.irs.gov/pu b/irs-pdf/f8822.pdf) or can be ordered by calling 800-TAX-FORM.

If a refund check is undeliverable, taxpayers generally can use the “Where's My Refund?” tool on the IRS Web site, which lets taxpayers check the status of a refund. You must submit your Social Security number, filing status and amount of refund shown on their 2008 return.

Taxpayers also can update their address through the telephone version of “Where's My Refund?” by calling 800-829-1954.

The IRS encourages taxpayers to choose direct deposit when they file their returns 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.

“We are eager to get this money into the hands of taxpayers, so don't delay if you think you are missing a refund,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “The sooner you update your address information, the quicker you can get your refund.”