Originally Posted by
cordelli
It is in theory possible that United has already forwarded your taxes collected to the government, so they no longer have it. I am not saying they do daily sweeps, but it is possible.
Smokescreen at best, bunk at worst.
As the IRS rightfully points out, it is entirely possible for the airlines to make these refunds "just as they do in the ordinary course of business when issuing refunds for unused refundable tickets (including the associated taxes)." They refund the taxes they've collected in that case, they CAN and SHOULD do it in this case. Period.