Montanans owed $3.3M for tax returns they didn’t file

BILLINGS (AP) – As this year’s tax deadline nears, the IRS is reminding Montana and Wyoming residents who didn’t file a 2011 federal tax return that they may be missing out on a refund.

The Billings Gazette reports about 3,700 Montanans are owed a total of $3.3 million for income tax returns they didn’t file, while about 2,300 Wyoming taxpayers are owned $2.98 million.

The median amount unclaimed is $676 in Montana and $835 in Wyoming.

IRS spokesman Bill Brunson says the 2011 returns must be mailed and postmarked by April 15. There is no penalty for filing late if a refund is due. If the refunds aren’t claimed, the money goes back to the U.S. Treasury.

The IRS says refunds may be owed to low- to moderate-income taxpayers through the Earned Income Tax Credit, which can be worth up to $5,751.