AUGUSTA — The Internal Revenue Service is looking for Maine taxpayers who are missing 285 refund checks totaling more than $267,000 that were returned to the IRS by the U.S. Postal Service due to mailing address errors.

“We want Maine taxpayers to get this money as soon as possible. If you think you’re missing a refund, take a few minutes to go to IRS.gov or call the toll free IRS refund hotline,” said Peggy Riley, IRS spokeswoman. “The website is open 24/7 to help you get your check.”

All a taxpayer has to do is update his or her address once. The IRS will then send out all checks due. Maine undeliverable refund checks average $938 this year, compared to $768 last year. Some taxpayers are due more than one check.

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

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 2009 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. Taxpayers can access a telephone version of “Where’s My Refund?” by calling 1-800-829-1954.