75 from the region have unclaimed tax rebates

WILLMAR -- The Internal Revenue Service is looking for 75 taxpayers in west central Minnesota who have refund checks waiting for them. The checks were returned to the IRS as undeliverable, the agency said in a news release.

In Kandiyohi County alone, nearly $9,000 in undeliverable tax refunds is waiting to be returned. The average tax return for Kandiyohi residents is $810.

Stearns County had the most outstanding refund checks, with 41. Meeker, Renville, Pope and Swift counties averaged two or three.

"We want to get this money into taxpayers' hands as quickly as possible," said Carrie Resch, IRS spokeswoman. "If you discover you're missing a refund, update your address with the IRS. The sooner you do, the quicker you can get your money."

The vast majority of checks mailed by the IRS each year reach their rightful owner. Only a very small percent are returned by the U.S. Postal Service as undeliverable. Taxpayers can update their addresses with the "Where's My Refund?" at IRS.gov. The tool enables taxpayers to check the status of their refunds and in some cases provides instructions on how to resolve delivery problems. To use "Where's My Refund?" a taxpayer needs his or her Social Security number, filing status and amount of refund shown on their 2008 return.

Taxpayers can access a telephone version of "Where's My Refund?" by calling 1-800-829-1954.

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.

If you have yet to receive a tax rebate, please visit www.wctrib.com to see if your name is on the list of taxpayers the IRS is attempting to track down.