POMEROY — Four names of Meigs and Gallia residents are included on a list of taxpayers in Ohio and West Virginia whose income tax refund checks were returned this year to the Internal Revenue Service due to mailing address errors.

They are Cyrus K. Knotts of Meigs County, and Richard G. Smith, Gerald L. Sparks, and Ralph E. Smith, all of Gallia County, according to a release from Eric Erickson, IRS Media Relations for Ohio and West Virginia.

Erickson said the IRS is looking for more than 2,500 taxpayers in the two states who are due to receive a combined $2.5 million in the form of refund checks returned because of inaccurate addresses. The stats for each state are Ohio, total refunds, 2,448 in a total amount of $2.25 million; and in West Virginia, 279 total refunds in the total amount of $238,600.

“We want taxpayers in Ohio and West Virginia to get this money as soon as possible. This money belongs to them, so if anyone thinks they are missing a tax refund, take a few minutes to go on IRS.gov or call the toll free IRS refund Hotline,” he said.The web site is open 24/7 to help those who have refunds coming to them.

Erickson explained that all a taxpayer has to do is update his or her address once. The IRS will then send out all checks due. Undeliverable refund checks for Ohio taxpayers average $919 this year with an average of $858 for West Virginia taxpayers. The average refund amount for both states is significantly higher than last year.

Several changes in tax law likely played a role in boosting refunds, including the First-Time Homebuyer’s Credit and the Recovery Rebate Credit, among others, according to the IRS spokesman.

The vast majority of checks mailed out by the IRS each year reach their rightful owner. Only a very small percent are returned by the U.S. Postal Service as undeliverable, said Erickson.

Taxpayers can update their addresses with the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on IRS.gov. The tool enables taxpayers to check the status of their refunds. A taxpayer must submit his or her social security number, filing status and amount of refund shown on their 2008 return. The tool will provide the status of their refund and in some cases provide instructions on how to resolve delivery problems.

Taxpayers checking on a refund over the phone will be given instructions on how to update their addresses. They can access a telephone version of “Where’s My Refund?” by calling 1-800-829-1954, Erickson advised.