In the second installment in our series on “Sin Taxes,” we present a graphic which illustrates how much money individuals are being taxed to consume alcohol, and subsequently how much the Federal and State governments are generating in tax revenue. There is also a breakdown of how different types of alcohols are taxed in the various states, as well as international comparisons — to put thing in perspective. Some of the figures may be surprising. What do you think?

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<a href="http://files.blog.turbotax.intuit.com/2010/07/tt-alcohol-final.png"><img data-attachment-id="8428" data-permalink="https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/?p=8428" data-orig-file="" data-orig-size="" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="[]" data-image-title="Where’s My Tax Refund?: IRS Has $153 Million in Undeliverable Tax Refunds" data-image-description="<p>So you filed your 2010 tax return and now your wondering, “<a href="https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/2011/02/21/dude-wheres-my-refund/" target="_blank">Dude, Where’s My Refund?</a>”  Possibly, your tax refund is one of the checks out of $153 million in undeliverable tax refund checks just announced by the IRS, with an average refund  totaling $1,547 this year!</p> <p>[caption id="attachment_8412" align="alignleft" width="263" caption="Undeliverable Tax Refunds"]<a href="https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/?attachment_id=8412" rel="attachment wp-att-8412"><img class=" wp-image-8412" title="Undeliverable Tax Refunds" src="http://files.blog.turbotax.intuit.com/2011/12/istock_000013184481small.jpg?w=300" alt="Undeliverable tax Refunds" width="263" height="200" /></a>[/caption]</p> <p>Only a small percentage of checks mailed out by the IRS were returned as undeliverable, but 99,123 taxpayers’ 2010 tax refunds could not be delivered because of mailing address errors.  With Christmas coming soon and the tough economy, you need your money as soon as possible.  So how can you track your tax refund and how can you avoid this problem in the future?</p> <p><strong>How to Track Your Undeliverable Refund?</strong></p> <p>If you believe your tax refund may have been returned to the IRS as undeliverable:</p> <ul> <li>Use the IRS <a href="http://turbotax.intuit.com/support/iq/Tax-Refund/When-will-I-get-my-tax-refund-/GEN12488.html" target="_blank">“Where’s My Refund?” </a>tool.  The tool will provide you with the status and, in some cases, may give you instructions on how to resolve delivery problems.</li> <li>Call the telephone version of “Where’s My Refund?” at 1-800-829-1954</li> </ul> <p><strong>How Can You Avoid Undeliverable Tax Refunds In the Future?</strong></p> <p>Here are steps to take to ensure you receive your 2011 tax refund:</p> <ul> <li>E-file your return – E-filing with tax software like <a href="http://turbotax.intuit.com/" target="_blank">TurboTax</a> eliminates the risk of lost papers and errors.  When you paper file there is no way to verify when, and if, your tax return is received or whether or not your tax return has errors.  When you e-file, you receive confirmation from the IRS that your tax return is received and accepted.  The IRS also recommends that you file your tax return electronically and supports  tax software like TurboTax.</li> <li>Direct Deposit your Refund Check – Last year, more than 78.4 million taxpayers chose to have their refund checks deposited directly into their bank accounts.  TurboTax gives you the option to deposit your tax refund directly  into your bank account or you can request to have your deposit placed directly on the <a href="http://turbotax.intuit.com/support/iq/Tax-Refund/Frequently-Asked-Questions-About-the-TurboTax-Refund-Card/GEN12731.html" target="_blank">TurboTax Refund Card</a>.</li> </ul> <p>The combination of e-file and direct deposit are the best options to avoid undeliverable tax refund checks and <a href="http://turbotax.intuit.com/" target="_blank">TurboTax</a> makes it easy!</p> <p>Nearly 8 out of 10 taxpayers chose to e-file for tax year 2010 and that number is expected to increase for tax year 2011, so what are you waiting for?  Make your plans to e-file and use direct deposit for tax year 2011.</p> " data-medium-file="" data-large-file="" src="https://files.blog.turbotax.intuit.com/2010/07/tt-alcohol-final.png" alt="ALCOHOL-TAX" title="ALCOHOL-TAX" width="630" height="1437" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8428" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.turbotax.com/" target="_blank">Free Tax Filing, Efile Taxes, Income Tax Returns</a> – TurboTax.com