$3.5M In Unclaimed Tax Refunds Await Thousands In Rhode Island

RHODE ISLAND — A pot of unclaimed refunds for tax year 2021 — totaling over $3.4 million — awaits thousands of California residents, according to an announcement Tuesday from the Internal Revenue Service.

The IRS estimates that $3,487,000 in refunds remain unclaimed by 3,600 Ocean State taxpayers who have not filed their Form 1040, Federal Income Tax Return, for the 2021 tax year.

The IRS estimates the median refund amount for these residents is $946, though some will be higher and some lower. According to the federal agency, the estimate does not include the Recovery Rebate Credit or other applicable credits.

Under federal law, taxpayers usually have three years to file and claim their tax refunds. If they don’t file within that time period, the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.

For those who have yet to file, there could be more money at stake.

"By missing out on filing a tax return, people stand to lose more than just their refund of taxes withheld or paid during 2021," according to the IRS announcement. "Many low- and moderate-income workers may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). For 2021, the EITC was worth as much as $6,728 for taxpayers with qualifying children. The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds."

The EITC income thresholds for 2021 were:

• $51,464 ($57,414 if married filing jointly) for those with three or more qualifying children;
• $47,915 ($53,865 if married filing jointly) for people with two qualifying children;
• $42,158 ($48,108 if married filing jointly) for those with one qualifying child, and;
• $21,430 ($27,380 if married filing jointly) for people without qualifying children.

The IRS said that over 1.1 million people across the nation have unclaimed refunds for tax year 2021, with the pot totaling more than $1 billion.

Need to file your 2021 return? Current and prior year tax forms (such as the tax year 2021 Forms 1040 and 1040-SR) and instructions are available on the IRS.gov Forms and Instructions page or by calling toll-free 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

People should start now to make sure they have enough time to file before the April deadline for 2021 refunds, according to the IRS. Here are some options:

• Create or log in to IRS Individual Online Account: The fastest and easiest way for people to view, download or print tax records and transcripts is to create or log in to their Individual Online Account at IRS.gov. There they can find transcripts of past tax returns, tax account information, wage and income statements and verification of non-filing letters.
• Request copies of key documents: Taxpayers who are missing Forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for the years 2021, 2022 or 2023 can request copies from their employer, bank or other payers.
• Get transcript by mail: Taxpayers who are unable to get those missing forms from their employer or other payers and cannot access their Individual Online Account can get a tax return or tax account transcript mailed to them by using Get Transcript by Mail on IRS.gov. Taxpayers can also request a transcript be mailed to them by calling the automated phone transcript service at 800-908-9946.
• Request a wage and income transcript: Another option is for people to file Form 4506-T with the IRS to request a wage and income transcript. A wage and income transcript shows data from information returns received by the IRS, such as Forms W-2, 1099, 1098, Form 5498 and IRA contribution information. Taxpayers can use the information from the wage and income transcript to file their tax return. But taxpayers should plan ahead: These written requests can take several weeks. People are encouraged to try the other options first.

The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2021 tax refund that their money may be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2022 and 2023. Additionally, any refund amount for 2021 will be applied to amounts still owed to the IRS or a state tax agency and may be used to offset unpaid child support or other past-due federal debts such as student loans.

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