Unclaimed Tax Refund – Time Is Running Out

Taxpayers have until April 18, 2022, to file their 2018 return and get their refund.

If a taxpayer doesn’t file their return, they usually have three years to file and claim their tax refund. If they don’t file within three years, the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.

To claim a refund for 2018, taxpayers must mail returns to the IRS center listed on the Form 1040 instructions. While they must mail in a 2018 return, taxpayers can still e-file for 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Taxpayers can download tax forms and instructions from the IRS.gov Forms, Instructions and Publications page of IRS.gov or by calling 800-829-3676.

The IRS may hold refund checks if the taxpayer has not filed for 2019 and 2020. The IRS may also apply the refund to overdue state or federal tax bills or other state or federal debts, like child support and student loans.