Thousands of Californians could be due a tax refund from 2018. Here’s how to find out
More than 148,000 California taxpayers may be due hundreds of dollars in refunds from the Internal Revenue Service, refunds on taxes withheld in 2018.
The median refund is estimated to be $776, meaning half the refunds would be lower and half would be higher, according to the IRS. The agency estimates as much as $139.6 million could be due to Californians.
The amounts are based on 2018 federal income tax returns. People qualifying for the money did not file returns in 2018.
To get money they’re due, they must file returns by April 18, this year’s tax filing deadline in California.Send the request to the regional tax center listed on p. 114 of the Form 1040 Instruction book.
“People need to act quickly. By law, there’s only a three-year window to claim these refunds, which closes with this year’s April tax deadline,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig in a statement.
If the money is not claimed by the deadline, it goes to the federal government.
Not everyone due a refund will get one. The IRS will hold back refunds of people who have not filed 2019 or 2020 tax returns.
And if someone owes money to a state tax agency or the IRS, the refund will be used to pay that debt. It can also be used to pay unpaid child support or other pending federal debts such as student loans.
One difficulty taxpayers could face is finding tax and income data from 2018. They should seek the proper forms from an employer, bank or other place. If that doesn’t work, people can order a free wage and income transcript.
To obtain that, use the Get Transcript Online tool, or file a Form 4506-T to request a wage and income transcript.
IRS generally sends refunds to people who file electronically and have direct deposit within 21 days.
But, it warned last month, “Some returns may require additional review and may take longer. Also, remember to take into consideration the time it takes for a financial institution to post the refund to an account or to receive it by mail.”
As of March 26, the IRS has provided 56.5 million refunds. The average refund is $2,902, down slightly from the same period last year.
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