Louisiana State Tax Refunds

Louisiana State Tax Refunds

Louisiana State Tax Refunds

Federal tax refunds that are undeliverable or unclaimed add up to billions of dollars each year. In 2006 the figure was $1.3 billion, and this money is taxpayer-owned, waiting to be returned to the person who earned the money. State departments of revenue, like the IRS, are holding on to billions in unclaimed state tax refunds as well. Every state handles this missing money in a different manner, but like the federal government, there is a limit to how far back an unclaimed refund can go before the money reverts to the state. Learn how to answer the question "Where's my state tax refund?" and claim these lost funds.

Where's My State Tax Refund?

There are two main reasons for unclaimed state tax refunds being held by the state, leading people to ask "Where's my state tax refund?": undeliverable addresses and failure to file. In the case of an undeliverable address the solution is simple. Contact the state department of revenue to claim a lost check. The DOR will typically require some form of identification to prove that the money can be released legitimately, and the check will be reissued within a reasonable time frame (six to eight weeks, typically).

In the case of failure to file, residents need to file state tax returns for the year in which the refund is expected. Many taxpayers fail to file, even when they know they will receive a refund, out of a mistaken fear that filing late will result in a penalty. In general, if taxpayers are owed a refund there is no penalty for late filing, so file as soon as possible to start the process for receiving an unclaimed state tax refund.