Indiana auditor says all automatic refund checks have been mailed out

The Indiana Auditor’s Office has printed and mailed all of the state’s automatic taxpayer refund checks, the agency announced on Thursday.

More than 1.5 million checks finished printing on Sept. 21, and the last batch of checks were sent to the postal service the next day. A paper shortage in August had delayed the first round of checks.

“Most Hoosiers who filed a 2020 tax return in 2021 should have received their automatic taxpayer refund via direct deposit or mailed check by now,” State Auditor Tera Klutz said in a news release.

Klutz added that while most eligible Hoosiers have received their refunds, “we are aware that many need further assistance to claim it.”

Because the checks being issued are based on the 2020 Indiana tax return, some recipients have since passed away or moved. Klutz said the state is working to get those checks reissued to the proper name and address.

Those who haven’t gotten a check or direct deposit yet are urged to wait until Nov. 1 to contact the Indiana Department of Revenue. The state says that gives it time to process returned mail.

A financial relief bill approved by lawmakers in August during a special legislative session appropriated over $1 billion in reserve accounts to send $200 checks to millions of eligible Hoosiers, including hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers utilizing Social Security or disability benefits.

That was after GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb announced that separate $125 checks would be distributed to Hoosiers, triggered in 2021 by high state reserves. Reserves higher than 12.5% of the budget trigger the automatic taxpayer refund.

Do you need a refund check reissued?

If an individual received a payment who has since passed away, the living spouse or executor should file a Distributee’s Affidavit for Disposition of Estates SF# 49377 with the Auditor of State, and include a copy of the death certificate.

If an individual received a check that could not be deposited due to blurriness or printer error, the recipient should file an Affidavit for Lost or Not Received Warrant SF#42850 with the Auditor of State.

Completed and notarized forms can be mailed to the Indiana Auditor of State at 200 W. Washington St., Room 240, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Questions can be directed to Comments@auditor.IN.gov.

Do you need a refund check split?

Hoosiers who received a joint check of $650 made out to both spouses who filed their 2020 individual income taxes jointly, but who have since divorced and need the check separated and reissued, should mail the original check along with a written request to divide the refund to:

Indiana Department of Revenue

Attn: Non-Responsible Spouse

PO Box 7202

Indianapolis, IN 46207

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, not-for-profit news organization that covers state government, policy and elections.