Thousands of taxpayers across Oregon have tax refund money awaiting them, but it’ll soon be harder to get. After state checks expire, two years from their issuance date, there’s a limited window of time to get them reissued before additional requirements apply. “We still have more than 5,000 taxpayers with almost $1 million in expired checks,” said Steve Bergmann, Oregon Department of Revenue accounting manager. “We want these taxpayers to get their money before they have to take additional steps.”

Revenue sent letters to nearly 7,000 taxpayers in July, warning them that their checks are expired and they need to request a new check before the amount is transferred to the Department of State Lands (DSL). Some have already asked for a reissued check, claiming their portion of almost $1.5 million in expired refunds that Revenue identified in July. If you got a notification letter from Revenue, Bergmann said you should sign the notification letter and return it as soon as possible to have your check reissued.

Each October, Revenue has to send any expired check amounts to the Unclaimed Property Program at DSL. To claim property from DSL, taxpayers need a notarized claim and copies of identity-verifying documents. Bergmann said the most common reasons for not cashing a refund check are misplacement of the check and having an incorrect mailing address on file with Revenue. He said taxpayers should notify Revenue of any address changes to ensure receipt of all tax-related correspondence.

Visit www.oregon.gov/dor to get tax forms, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments; call 1 (800) 356-4222 toll-free (English or Spanish) or (503) 378-4988; or email, questions.dor@oregon.gov. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), call 1 (800) 886-7204.