Every year, taxpayers file federal tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service, and many receive refunds. These days, as more people e-file, the money goes directly into a bank account via direct deposit. In the case of check refunds for taxes, however, taxpayers might move and forwarding orders don't always lead to the refund check being delivered.

In other cases, taxpayers don't even file a tax return but are owed a federal tax refund! The IRS currently has more than $1.3 billion in money waiting to be matched with rightful owners. For taxpayers wondering "Where's my refund?" the answers can be found in this article- and in the end, readers may find money they didn't realize was theirs.

Where's My Tax Refund?

Unclaimed tax refunds have a deadline- after three years the money reverts to the U.S. government. It's critical for taxpayers to realize this limitation and to act quickly; for 2006 refunds the deadline is April 15, 2010 to claim any undelivered tax refunds.