IRS Reminds Rhode Island Taxpayers: Time is Running Out on $2.9M
The Internal Revenue Service reminded Rhode Island Taxpayers today that
they may be one of the estimated 2,900 state residents missing out on unclaimed
federal income tax refunds totaling more than $2,906,000. Nationwide the total
amount is over $1 billion for approximately 1 million taxpayers who did not file a
2013 federal income tax return. But time is running out. To claim this money,
taxpayers must file a 2013 federal tax return by April 18, 2017.
The law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming
a refund. If they do not file a return within three years, the money becomes the
property of the U.S. Treasury. The law requires them to properly address mail and
postmark the tax return by April 18.
Some people, such as students and part-time workers, may not have filed because they
had too little income to require them to file a tax return. They may have a refund
waiting if they had taxes withheld from their wages or made quarterly estimated tax
payments. Some taxpayers could also qualify for certain tax credits, such as the
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), but they need to file a tax return to claim the
credit.
Low- and moderate-income workers whose incomes fall below certain limits often
qualify for the EITC, which for 2013 was worth as much as $6,044. The income limits
for 2013 were:
* $46,227 ($51,567 if married filing jointly) for those with three or more
qualifying children;
* $43,038 ($48,378 if married filing jointly) for people with two qualifying
children;
* $37,870 ($43,210 if married filing jointly) for those with one qualifying
child, and;
* $14,340 ($19,680 if married filing jointly) for people without qualifying
children.
There is no penalty for filing a late return for those receiving refunds. The IRS
estimates that half the potential unclaimed refunds are worth more than $763.
The IRS may hold 2013 refunds if taxpayers have not filed tax returns for 2014 and
2015. The U.S. Treasury will apply the refund to any federal or state tax owed.
Refunds may also be held to offset unpaid child support or past due federal debts
such as student loans.
Current and prior year tax forms and instructions
are available on IRS.gov.
Taxpayers who are missing Forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for tax years 2013, 2014 or
2015 should request copies from their employer, bank or other payer. Taxpayers who
are unable to get missing forms from their employer or other payer should go to
IRS.gov and use the «Get Transcript Online
obtain a Wage and Income transcript.