The IRS Owes Americans $1 Billion

Among the many reasons to do your taxes this year is the distinct possibility that you're owed a few bucks from years past and, potentially, a little piece of the $1 billion in unclaimed refunds that's just hanging out at the Internal Revenue Service.

Among the many reasons to do your taxes this year is the distinct possibility that you're owed a few bucks from years' past and, potentially, a little piece of the $1 billion in unclaimed refunds that's just hanging out at the Internal Revenue Service.

"The IRS said Thursday it has $1 billion in unclaimed tax refunds waiting for the one million people who still haven't filed a federal income tax return for 2008," explains CNN Money's Blake Ellis, adding that about "half of these refunds are worth more than $600." After that, any money left over becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury." Whether you forgot to file, didn't make enough to be required to file or simply just want to see if you're eligible, you absolutely must do your taxes by April 17 this year to qualify for some of the funds. Just to be sure we're not leading you on, it's important to clarify that not everybody qualifies for access to these unclaimed refunds. But if nobody does claim them, we suggest that rather than giving up the billion to the Treasury, the IRS ought to use the money to cook an America-shaped pizza to feed the hungry.