Don’t Wait too Long to File for
a Tax Refund
When it comes to claiming a refund from the IRS, there’s an important deadline every taxpayer should know: you can lose your refund forever if you wait too long.
There is a Legal Deadline
The IRS sets a legal deadline for how long a taxpayer can claim a refund or credit. In most cases, the deadline is the latter of:
• Three years from the date you filed your original tax return, or
• Two years from the date you paid the tax.
Since the original due date for a 2022 tax return was April 15, 2023, a taxpayer has until April 15, 2026 to claim a refund.
If you miss this deadline, the IRS generally will not issue a refund, even if you overpaid.
Many taxpayers lose refunds simply because they wait too long to file a return or amend a prior one. Once the statute expires, the refund is permanently forfeited to the U.S. Treasury.
Important Notes:
• Filing an original return counts as a refund claim.
• Amended returns must also be filed within the same deadline.
• Certain disaster relief or special circumstances may extend deadlines.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Record-retention needs vary based on individual circumstances. Please contact me for a free consultation if you have questions about your individual tax situation.