How Long Do You Have to File and Claim Your Money Back?

Filing taxes can be stressful, and sometimes people miss the deadline or even forget to file at all. One common question taxpayers ask is how long they have to file a return and still claim a tax refund. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has strict regulations about this, and understanding these rules can prevent you from losing money that rightfully belongs to you.

The IRS sets a clear window for taxpayers to claim their refunds. You generally have three years from the original due date of the tax return to file and claim any refund owed to you. This period starts from the deadline of the return, not from the date you actually file. For example, the deadline for the 2021 tax year was April 18, 2022. That means you have until April 18, 2025, to submit that return and receive any refund that is due.

If you fail to file your tax return within this three-year period, the IRS keeps the money. The refund becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury, and you lose the chance to claim it. This rule applies even if you are entitled to credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, which often result in larger refunds for qualifying taxpayers.

There are also situations where the three-year window is extended. If you filed for an extension, the deadline shifts accordingly. Additionally, if you have certain tax debts, the IRS may offset part or all of your refund to cover those obligations, but the three-year deadline to file and claim still applies.

It is important to note that the same rules apply to state tax refunds, though each state has its own timelines and regulations. Missing the federal deadline does not prevent you from filing your return, but it does mean that any refund owed to you will be permanently forfeited.

The takeaway is simple: if you think you may be owed a tax refund for a previous year, do not wait. Check your records, gather your documents, and file your return before the three-year statute of limitations runs out. Otherwise, you could be leaving hundreds or even thousands of dollars on the table.

Do not miss out on your tax return refund, file with us today even if it has been past three years, you are obligated to file!