Did you receive your federal tax refund?

If not, update your address with IRS to get your check

BIRMINGHAM - The Internal Revenue Service is looking for Alabamians who are due to receive a combined $1.85 million in refund checks that were returned to the IRS by the U.S. Postal Service due to mailing address errors.

"IRS wants to get these checks to their owners as quickly as possible," said IRS spokesman Dan Boone. "All you have to do is update your address to get your refund check reissued."

There were 1,571 undeliverable refund checks averaging $1,183 this year in Alabama, he said. Some taxpayers are due more than one check. Nationwide, the IRS said there are nearly 108,000 checks worth more than $123 million - the average check is worth $1,148.

Boone said taxpayers only need to update their addresses one time and the IRS will then send out all checks due.

Taxpayers can update their addresses with the "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov which also enables taxpayers to check the status of their refunds. The tool will provide the status of their refund and in some cases provide instructions on how to resolve delivery problems.

Taxpayers checking on a refund over the phone (800-829-1954) will also be given instructions on how to update their addresses, Boone said.

Boone said taxpayers should choose direct deposit when they file their returns because it puts an end to lost, stolen or undeliverable checks.

The IRS also encourages taxpayers to file their tax returns electronically because e-file eliminates the risk of lost paper returns.