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IRS Owes Floridians Millions In Unclaimed Refunds

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - How would you feel if you found out you gave the US government cash that should be in your pocket? The feds say in Florida alone they are holding $67 million they owe people-- maybe you --simply because you haven't asked for it back, and time is running out.

The money was collected by the IRS as taxes, and would have been refunded to taxpayers if a proper return had been filed. Unfortunately, thousands of people who didn't make enough to file a return may lose the money, because taxes were collected anyway.

No return, no refund.

The feds say more than 70 thousand people failed to file, and that makes the median refund about $650. Some will get less, others more.

You have 3 years to file; the money the IRS wants to refund comes from the 2008 tax year alone. If you're owed anything, and want it back, you must file a 2008 return by Midnight, April 17th.

No return, and the government gets to keep the money and spend it, a little gift from unsuspecting taxpayers.

If you believe you're owed money, and didn't file, you can download a 2008 1040 EZ return here, and submit it to the IRS.

Not everyone can use that simple form, so here's a link to the standard 1040.

If you're missing some of the forms you need, you can get them from your employer or from the IRS. Those forms might include form W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for 2008.

Taxpayers can get a free transcript showing information from these year-end documents by ordering it on IRS.gov, filing Form 4506-T, or by calling 800-908-9946.

 

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