If the railroad taxes the RRB receives are greater than the amount which will affect the annuity amount, the employee can receive a refund of the additional railroad taxes. Generally, the additional railroad taxes will be paid when the employee begins receiving a railroad retirement benefit. If the employee dies before receiving a refund, the additional railroad taxes are payable to the employee's survivors. An application for a railroad tax refund must be filed by the second anniversary of the employee's death. The two types of railroad tax refunds, excess and separation allowance, are described in the following sections.