None of us really enjoy paying taxes. We do seem to get quite a kick out our income tax refund check. You'd think there would be no way people would leave money on the table from the Internal Revenue Service right? Well, you and I would have both guessed wrong on this issue.

There are approximately 20-thousand Louisiana residents that have money owed to them by the federal government. The reason they haven't gotten this money is because they haven't filed to get it. It must be nice to be so wealthy huh?

IRS spokesperson Bill Brunson says the returns in question are from the year 2013. I bet you didn't know you actually had three years to file for refunds, did you? Well, you do and there is a boat load of money that is just sitting around looking for a wallet or purse to call home.

The law allows a taxpayer to claim a refund on a tax return within three years, and if you go past that time frame, then that money goes into the general fund.

That's what Brunson told the Louisiana Radio Network.

So, how much money are we talking about? Brunson says the average amount that is due taxpayers is $763. So, that means some refund would be much less, some would be much higher. Regardless if you don't claim it Uncle Sam will use it or abuse it.

The IRS estimates that the total amount of unclaimed refunds is about $21 million. That's just in Louisiana. It's just sitting there waiting to be claimed. If you'd like to find out if you've got money coming back it's as easy as a simple click of your mouse to the IRS website or you can make a call to the IRS hotline at 800-829-1040.

 

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