Unclaimed Refunds Will Expire This Year

~ $1.2 billion in unclaimed refunds for the 2022 tax year remain outstanding.

In light of a recent federal court decision, the IRS is urging taxpayers and tax professionals to act promptly, as approximately $1.2 billion in unclaimed refunds for the 2022 tax year remain outstanding. The deadline to claim these refunds is April 15, 2026. Currently, more than 1.3 million individuals have not filed a 2022 federal income tax return, potentially leaving substantial refunds uncollected.

These refunds typically apply to individuals who did not file Form 1040 for 2022—often because they were not required to file or were unaware of their eligibility. The IRS estimates the median refund at $686, though actual amounts may be higher, particularly for taxpayers eligible for credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Refunds may be offset against outstanding federal or state obligations, and taxpayers must be compliant with more recent filing requirements to receive payment. After the three-year statutory period expires, any unclaimed refunds are forfeited to the U.S. Treasury, underscoring the importance of timely filing.

Unclaimed Refunds Will Expire This Year