TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

The IRS may owe you

ADVERTISEMENT

By DALE HOKREIN

dhokrein@tampatrib.com

Published: November 15, 2009

TAMPA - Anyone know Christopher J. Vecchione of Tampa or Stephanie A. Mckee in Westchase? If so, you can tell them the government has something for them.

More than 10,000 are owed refunds because the Internal Revenue Service couldn't deliver them by mail. More than $15 million worth.

Why? The usual reasons. People move. Couples divorce.

"In Florida, the average undeliverable refund is $1,538," said Mike Dobzinski, IRS spokesman for Florida.

In Hillsborough County, there's $1.6 million waiting for 786 people. The average amount of those checks: $2,074.

Florida has one of the worst foreclosure rates in the United States. Nearly 12 percent of its work force is out of a job. Dobzinski said the bulk of the refunds are from the 2008 tax year, but some are older.

If you find your name on the list, you can get the money back by submitting Form 8822 to change your address.

Meantime, you can search the names at TBO.com to find out whether you or a friend has a refund coming or you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-3676.

Editor Dale Hokrein can be reached at (813) 259-8416.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT