Still waiting for that IRS refund? IRS may be looking for you

The IRS has about $3.6 million in undelivered refunds, because they can't find all of you to deliver them.

Perhaps you've moved, divorced or changed your name, or you may be a student moving back and forth from school. Whatever the reason, that money could be sitting at the IRS right now, said IRS spokeswoman Sue Hales, who is based in Chicago.

"There is no time limit (statute of limitations) for reissuing refund checks that have been returned to the IRS as undeliverable," Hales said Friday.

Hales said that the average undelivered refund amount is higher this year, compared to last year for both Illinois and the nation.

Nationwide, the average this year is $1,148, compared to $990 last year, a 16 percent increase. In Illinois, the average undelivered refund is $1,023, compared to $957 last year, or a 7 percent increase.

And you better get moving. Those undelivered funds are not gaining any interest, Hales said.

"The refund checks were originally issued timely and then returned to us because of a mailing address error," she said.

If you're still wondering what happened to your tax money, the IRS has prepared a special list of people for the Daily Herald. Your name could be on it.

Otherwise, you can visit IRS.gov and click on "Where's My Refund." Or call 800-829-1954. These resources also provide the necessary forms to fill out or get help in obtaining that money.

Outstanding IRS refunds County Number Sum Average COOK 2,134 $2,332,075 $1,094 DUPAGE 267 $278,562 $1,043 KANE 111 $117,593 $1,069 LAKE 178 $172,890 $971 WILL 108 $92,169 $861 MCHENRY 58 $30,149 $520