March 2nd, 2017 by WCBC Radio

Wednesday, Comptroller Peter Franchot urged any Marylander who has yet to file their 2013 tax returns to do so as soon as possible and collect their refund money. Earlier, the Internal Revenue Service announced that unclaimed federal income tax refunds totaling more than $1 billion may be waiting for an estimated 1 million taxpayers who did not file a 2013 federal income tax return. In Maryland, an estimated 22,200 individuals may be due $23 million in 2013 tax refunds, with an average refund of $770. These refunds exclude the Earned Income Tax Credit and other credits. “My agency works very hard to get refunds and unclaimed property back into the hands of the Marylanders who have earned them,” said Comptroller Franchot.  “Unfortunately, there are still millions in unclaimed federal refund dollars. We want to urge anyone who has not yet filed their 2013 to do so before time runs out.” To collect the money, taxpayers must file a 2013 tax return with the IRS no later than this year’s tax deadline, Tuesday, April 18. In cases where a tax return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund. If they do not file a return within three years, the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2013 tax returns, the window closes April 18, 2017. The law requires taxpayers to properly address mail and postmark the tax return by that date.