WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 1.3 million Americans have unclaimed federal tax refunds for 2022 and must file their returns by April 15 or risk losing the money permanently.
What This Means for You
- You may still be eligible for a 2022 tax refund if you haven’t filed
- The deadline to claim that refund is April 15, 2026
- Unclaimed refunds become property of the U.S. Treasury after the deadline
The Internal Revenue Service estimates roughly $1.2 billion in refunds remains unclaimed from the 2022 tax year. The median refund is $686, meaning half of taxpayers could receive more than that amount.
Under federal law, taxpayers generally have three years to file a return and claim a refund. After that period, unclaimed funds are forfeited to the U.S. Treasury.
Additional Credits May Increase Refunds
Taxpayers who have not filed may also be missing out on valuable credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, a benefit for low- and moderate-income workers.
For the 2022 tax year, the credit was worth up to $6,935 for those with qualifying children, depending on income and household size.
Eligibility thresholds included:
- Up to $59,187 for married couples filing jointly with three or more children
- Up to $55,529 for two children
- Up to $49,662 for one child
- Up to $22,610 for individuals without qualifying children
Why Filing Still Matters
Officials said failing to file not only forfeits refunds but may also delay or reduce future refunds. Any 2022 refund could be applied to outstanding debts, including unpaid taxes, child support, or certain federal obligations.
Additionally, refunds may be held if taxpayers have not filed returns for more recent years, including 2023 and 2024.
How to Retrieve Missing Documents
The IRS said taxpayers still have options to gather the documents needed to file:
- Request copies of forms such as W-2s or 1099s from employers or financial institutions
- Use the “Get Transcript Online” tool at IRS.gov to access income records
- Submit Form 4506-T to request a wage and income transcript by mail, though processing may take several weeks
Tax forms and instructions for 2022 are available at IRS.gov or by calling 800-829-3676.
Next Steps
Taxpayers who believe they are eligible for a refund must file their 2022 federal return by April 15, 2026, to claim any money owed.
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