RESIDENTS of a US state have been urged to ensure they’ve submitted their tax returns as they may qualify for a refund.
Reports indicate that numerous Floridians are set to receive a payout but have yet to claim their funds.
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According to officials from the Internal Revenue Service, over 69,000 individuals in the Sunshine State have not yet filed their income tax returns for 2021.
The agency estimates that more than $61 million in refunds remains unclaimed.
On average, payments being distributed to residents in the state total $732, according to the IRS.
However, some taxpayers might qualify for larger amounts, while others may receive less than the average payout.
Americans have a three-year window to file their taxes and request refunds.
The deadline for tax filing is April 15; any unclaimed money thereafter will become the property of the US treasury.
There are multiple ways to file tax returns.
Individuals can utilize the Direct File tool to submit their returns at no cost.
Alternatively, they may send forms via mail to the IRS.
Taxpayers can also seek extensions, as late submissions could result in penalties.
IRS officials have confirmed that the average rebate varies nationwide.
For instance, in West Virginia, the average payment is reported at $818.
However, the IRS estimated that only 4,800 individuals are eligible for a rebate—significantly lower than the 116,000 taxpayers considered eligible for a payment in California.
The IRS has encouraged taxpayers to submit their returns.
2025 Tax Season
The tax season commenced on January 27, with individuals required to complete filing by April 15.
Those who do not file by then may incur penalties.
Nevertheless, taxpayers seeking extra time may file for an extension, allowing them until October 15.
This can be achieved by completing Form 4868, the Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
This can be submitted by mail, online through an IRS e-filing partner, or via a tax professional.
While no fixed schedule exists, the IRS revealed that refunds might be processed within 21 days of filing.
It’s essential to avoid errors on any forms, as this could result in delays.
Those filing by mail may expect their refunds to be processed within a month, but could face additional delays as the IRS sorts through millions of submissions.
As of January 31, the average refund amount was $1,928, according to the IRS.
This shows an increase from the average of $1,395 during the same period in 2024.
The average direct deposit refund for 2025 even reached $2,069, as reported by the IRS.
To monitor the status of a refund, the IRS offers an online tool known as Where’s My Refund?
This tool functions within 24 hours of e-filing and generally within four weeks for paper submissions.
“By neglecting to file a tax return, individuals risk losing more than just their refund of taxes paid or withheld during 2021,” officials stated.
Filing tax returns allows Americans to claim funds they may have missed during the Covid pandemic.
A stimulus package, amounting to $1,400, was distributed to millions across the US in March 2021.
Two additional stimulus packages were issued in 2020.
Moreover, families might qualify for the Earned Income Tax credit—a relief initiative aimed at assisting low-income households.
However, the eligibility criteria for the rebate is strict.
Families must possess earned income, a valid Social Security number, and adhere to Adjusted Gross Income level limits.
In 2021, for single filers or heads of households without children, the income threshold was $21,430.
Conversely, for families filing jointly with three or more qualifying children, the threshold was set at $57,414.
