IRS Has $1.2B in Unclaimed 2022 Refunds — April 15 Deadline to Claim

The IRS owes 1.3 million Americans money — about $686 each. But the deadline to claim it is April 15.

If you didn't file a 2022 tax return, the IRS estimates it has about $1.2 billion in unclaimed refunds just sitting there. The median refund amount is $686. But under federal law, you have three years to file and claim it. After that, the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.

That means if you skip filing for 2022, your refund disappears in less than a month.

Who Is This For?

The unclaimed refunds are for taxpayers who did not file their Form 1040 federal income tax return for the 2022 tax year.

The totals don't include additional tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (which was worth up to $6,935 in 2022).

But here's the catch: 2022 refunds can be held if you haven't filed tax returns for 2023 or 2024. The IRS will also apply your refund to amounts you still owe to the IRS or state tax agency, and it may be used to offset unpaid child support or other past-due federal debts (like past-due student loans).

How to File for Your Money

Current and prior year tax forms (like the 2022 Forms 1040 and 1040-SR) and instructions are available on the IRS.gov Forms & Instructions page or by calling toll-free 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Missing Forms? Here's How to Get Them

If you're missing Forms W-2, 1098, 1099, or 5498 for 2022, 2023, or 2024, you can request copies from your employer, bank, or other payers.

If that doesn't work, the IRS offers two options:

• Use Get Transcript Online at IRS.gov: Order a free wage and income transcript using the Get Transcript Online tool.

• Request a transcript: File Form 4506-T with the IRS to request a "wage and income transcript." This shows data from information returns the IRS received (like Forms W-2, 1099, 1098, Form 5498, and IRA contribution information). You can use the information from the transcript to file your tax return.

Why You Should Care

$686 isn't life-changing, but it's free money you already earned. And for 1.3 million Americans, it's sitting unclaimed because they didn't file a return.

If you're a CPA, this is a client service opportunity. A quick scan of your client list for missing 2022 returns could recover real money — and build goodwill.

The deadline is April 15. After that, it's gone.