JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- The Internal Revenue Service is looking for 1,285 taxpayers in Missouri, and no, they aren't trying to collect money. They're trying to refund it.
Those 1,285 taxpayers in Missouri have refunds totaling almost $1.3 million.
The IRS said so much of the money has gone unclaimed because the checks were returned by the U.S. Postal Service.
Now the IRS says it doesn't have anyway to find the rightful owners.
Here in Mid Missouri, Boone County has the most unclaimed money with about $36,633, the average refund $814.
Camden County comes in second with just under $25,000, Cole County has about $8,000, and Phelps County has just over $6,000 in unclaimed returns.
An IRS spokesman said checks are returned to them all the time because of a life change such as a marriage or divorce.
The easiest way to insure you get your refund is by choosing the direct deposit method so the money is sent directly to your checking or savings account.
On Sunday I went to more than half a dozen addresses to notify some lucky recipients, unfortunately no one was home.
In 17 counties in our viewing area residents have money waiting to be claimed.
To find out if you have a refund waiting to be claimed visit the IRS.gov website and click on Where’s My Refund?
You can also call the IRS Refund Hotline at (800) 829-1954, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKRCG