Nearly 6,000 Alaskans may lose out on collecting about $640 each in unclaimed tax refunds if they didn't file a 2008 tax return, according to the IRS website.
Many people have not filed a tax return because their income level was too low.
Depending on an individual's status, he or she can make up to $20,000 before he or she is required to file a tax return.
These taxpayers paid taxes through regular deductions or quarterly payments and may be elgible for tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Recovery Rebate Credit.
Individuals owed a tax refund will not be penalized for failing to file a tax return.
However, there is a catch. The taxpayer must have filed returns for 2009 and 2010 to receive their refund. Debt owed to the IRS will be deducted from the refund.
In addition, if the taxpayer has unpaid child support or past due federal debts, the refund will be garnished.
The deadline to file a 2008 tax return to receive the money is April 17, 2012.
Unclaimed refunds are held for three years. After that, any unclaimed refunds are transfered to the U.S. Treasury. Nationally, about $1 billion in 2008 refunds are unclaimed.
