Congressional Representative Announces Availability of More than $2.2 Million in Tax Refunds for Colorado Residents

December 17, 2007

Today, Congressman Ed Perlmutter released the names of 7th Congressional District taxpayers who are owed tax refunds by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In Colorado’s 7th Congressional District (parts of Adams, Arapahoe and Jefferson Counties ) 640 taxpayers have unclaimed tax refunds. Statewide, more than 2,000 people are owed tax refunds totaling more than $2.2 million for individual tax returns filed this year, or within the last six months of last year. According to the IRS, the average refund for people statewide is $956.36.

“I hope that all 7th Congressional District residents will take a moment to look at my website at www.perlmutter.house.gov and see if the federal government owes them money,” said Perlmutter. “This money belongs to the individuals, not the government. I will continue fighting for tax relief for the hard working people in the middle.”

Nationwide, there are 115,478 taxpayers who have unclaimed tax refund checks worth about $110 million. Usually, a tax refund is deemed undeliverable when the IRS or U.S. Postal Service does not have the taxpayer’s current address on file.

Taxpayers can receive their money as soon as they update their address with the IRS. Colorado taxpayers can receive their money by:

• Visiting Congressman Perlmutter’s website at www.perlmutter.house.gov to see if A) their name is on the list of taxpayers owed money, and B) to find out how to claim their money.
• Visiting IRS.gov to access the tool “Where’s My Refund?” Taxpayers can check the status of their refunds and provide instructions on how to resolve delivery problems.
• Accessing the telephone version of “Where’s My Refund?” by calling 1-800-829-1954.

Perlmutter is a strong advocate in Congress for easing the tax burden for middle class families and our veterans. He authored the Military Financial Assistance Act of 2007, as part of the Temporary Tax Relief Act, which extends the ability of reservists and national guardsmen called to active duty to make an early withdrawal from their retirement plans without having to pay a 10% penalty tax.

Additionally, Perlmutter recently voted to prevent 23 million American taxpayers (34,000 in Colorado ’s 7th Congressional District), from having to pay the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) next year. Unfortunately, the President has suggested he may veto this bill.