The Louisiana Department of Revenue has sent letters to 18,801 individual and business taxpayers, notifying them about unclaimed state tax refunds. These “Unclaimed Property Notice” letters urge recipients to claim their refunds before they become unclaimed property of the state.
Taxpayers have until September 6, 2024 to claim their state tax refunds. According to the Department of Revenue, unclaimed refunds total $15,057,684. The importance of acting before the deadline is crucial to avoid the loss of these funds.
If you have received one of these letters, there are two ways to claim your refund. The first is to log on to the website provided in the letter and follow the detailed instructions. The second option is to complete and return the voucher attached to the July 26 notification letter. The Department of Revenue will issue paper checks to those who submit a valid claim by the deadline.
A significant number of taxpayers in Louisiana, both individual and commercial, have not collected their previously issued state tax refunds. These particular cases have been identified and that is why the respective notifications have been issued.
Simple Steps to Get Your Unclaimed Tax Refund Back
Department officials have clarified, “Any refunds not claimed by the deadline remain the property of the taxpayer and can be recovered from the Unclaimed Property Division of the state treasurer’s office.”
Those who received the notice letter should check the information to make sure that the letter is in the recipient’s name and that a previously issued refund check has not been cashed.
Then, they must provide the information requested on the website indicated in the letter to process the reissue of the check. In case of name change or application on behalf of a deceased taxpayer, it is necessary to attach the relevant documents.
Required Documents and Procedures to Claim Your Cash
For name changes, the following documents are required: Social Security Card, Driver’s License, Divorce Decree, and Marriage License. To claim a check on behalf of a deceased taxpayer, a copy of the deceased taxpayer’s death certificate and the completed Form R-6642, “Claimant’s Statement of Refund Due on behalf of the deceased taxpayer,” must be submitted.
For more information, taxpayers can visit the Louisiana Department of Revenue website or contact directly through the official channels provided in the letter.
If you have received one of the aforementioned notifications, or you believe you qualify for the tax refunds (even though you haven’t receive a letter), you must start by going to the official website of this tax-refunds campaign, here: http://www.revenue.louisiana.gov/UnclaimedRefund.
If the replacement refund check is being requested on behalf of a deceased taxpayer, please submit both of the following documents:
- A copy of the deceased taxpayer’s death certificate
- Completed Form R-6642, Statement of Claimant to Refund Due on Behalf of Deceased Taxpayer (https://revenue.louisiana.gov/Forms/ForIndividuals)