In order to meet the filing deadline for tax year 2012, income tax returns must be properly transmitted or addressed, mailed and postmarked by Monday, April 15, 2013.
Returns calculated with refunds can be filed up to three years after the official filing date of the return in question.
Using that information, the final date a taxpayer can file for a refund for tax year 2009 is also April 15, 2013.
Is the IRS holding onto your money?
According to a March 2013 IRA release, refunds totaling just over $917 million may be waiting for an estimated 984,400 taxpayers who did not file or incorrectly filed a federal income tax return for 2009.
However, to collect the money, a return (or an amended return) for 2009 must be filed with the IRS no later than Monday, April 15, 2013.
That same notice estimates the potential refunds to be more than $500 per taxpayer.
If no return is filed to claim a refund within that three-year window, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury.
Are you losing your opportunity to receive the 2009 Earned Income Tax Credit?
Many low-and moderate Income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). For 2009, the credit is worth as much as $5,657.
The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds.
More EITC information is available online at: http://www.irs.gov/.
Questions for Deborah Ritz can be e-mailed to WeeklyADK @yahoo.com
