By:
Dave Flessner
The tax man is looking for more than 6,200 workers in Tennessee and Georgia.
But the Internal Revenue Service isn't trying to collect more taxes. Instead, the IRS wants to deliver more than $7 million in refund checks that never were delivered for the 2008 tax year.
The refund checks, averaging about $1,148 in the two states, can be claimed as soon as taxpayers update their addresses with the IRS.
More than 230 taxpayers in the Chattanooga area are still due refunds for their 2008 taxes. Most have moved or listed incorrect addresses in their tax filings earlier this year, IRS spokesman Dan Boone said.
"IRS wants to get these checks to their owners as quickly as possible," he said. "All you have to do is update your address to get your refund check reissued."
Undeliverable refund checks average $958 this year in Tennessee, but some taxpayers are due more than one check.
Nationwide, the IRS wants to reissue nearly 108,000 checks worth more than $123 million. The average check is worth $1,148.
Taxpayers can update their addresses with the "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-829-1954.
A taxpayer must submit his or her Social Security number, filing status and amount of refund shown on their 2008 return. The tool will provide the status of their refund and in some cases provide instructions on how to resolve delivery problems.
The IRS encourages taxpayers to choose direct deposit when they file their returns because it puts an end to lost, stolen or undeliverable checks.
Taxpayers can receive refunds directly into personal checking or savings accounts. Direct deposit is available for filers of both paper and electronic returns.
The IRS also encourages taxpayers to file their tax returns electronically because e-file eliminates the risk of lost paper returns. E-file also reduces errors on tax returns and speeds up refunds.
Refunds by county
In the Chattanooga area:
* Hamilton County, 119 refunds available
* Bradley County, 32 refunds available
* Whitfield County, Ga., 29 refunds available
* Walker County, Ga., 10 refunds available
* McMinn County, 9 refunds available
* Catoosa County, Ga., 6 refunds available
* Rhea County, 6 refunds available
* Grundy County, 5 refunds available
* Bledsoe County, 5 refunds available
* Franklin County, 5 refunds available
Source: IRS