Sometimes, people find that they have accidentally paid too
much into the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. This might be through fault
or a misunderstanding on their own end or on the end of their employer. In
either case, if this ever happens to you, know that you can claim a refund of
the money you’re owed.
Getting Your Refund
The first step, after ensuring you’re eligible for a refund,
is to fill out IRS Form 843, which is the Claim for a Refund and Request for
Reimbursement Form. When possible, when you send in this form, include a letter
from your employer that clarifies whether or not you have been reimbursed
anything by your employer and, if so, how much.
For further verification, include a copy of your W-2 for the
tax year in which you are requesting the refund. From there, submit your
paperwork to the IRS, preferably via the office where the employer in question
files 941 forms since this will expedite the process.
In some cases, you may be asked to provide further
documentation or fill out other forms depending on the exact circumstances of
your reimbursement request. Just be patient and willing to work with the IRS as
needed.
Act Quickly
As a final piece of advice, remember that the IRS does have
a statute of limitations on these refunds. Usually, they expire after three
years from the date they were owed. For this reason, it’s in your best interest
to act quickly and to file for a refund as soon as you realize that you may be
entitled to one.
If you have questions along the way or need help filling out
the required forms, just contact a tax professional for assistance.