IRS refunds from tax returns never filed (3-year rule)
Tax refunds owed to people who never filed a federal tax return for a year, often because they earned little and were not required to file. The IRS says taxpayers usually have three years to file and claim a refund; after that the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.
- Run by
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- Cost
- Free (filing a return costs nothing; paid tax preparers may charge)
- Deadline
- Tax year 2023: you can still file now. Under the 3-year rule the deadline is about April 15, 2027; the IRS confirms the exact date each spring. Tax year 2022: April 15, 2026 (passed).
How to check and claim
Find your W-2, 1099 and other forms, or get a free wage and income transcript with Get Transcript Online at IRS.gov (Form 4506-T by mail is slower).
Fill out the Form 1040 for that tax year (prior-year forms are on IRS.gov or from 800-829-3676).
File it before the 3-year deadline.
Go to the official site.
Open official siteChecking is free. The FTC warns that the government will not call or text you asking you to pay to search for unclaimed money. Go to the official site yourself and never pay a "processing" fee.