How To Get My 2019 Tax Return

Unclaimed Income Tax Refunds by Taxpayers

Did you know that the average refund amount in 2021 was about $2,781? It's expected to be a bit higher in 2022.

Is there a tax refund waiting for you? You have three years to file a tax return and claim your refund and you will not face a late filing penalty for doing this! For example, the deadline to claim a 2017 tax refund was May 17, 2021. As it stands now, taxpayers who have not yet filed a 2018 Tax Return and are owed a refund will have until April 15, 2022 to claim this amount before it is claimed by the U.S. Treasury. Again, you will not face late penalties if you are owed a tax refund. You do not need to file a tax extension if you do not owe taxes.

Don't become a statistic! Read on for the latest data on unclaimed tax refunds due to wrong mailing addresses or incorrect bank account numbers. In addition, learn how to claim the refund you deserve! See options to receive your tax refund.

Bounced Refund Bank Deposit, Returned Refund Checks

Each year, there are billions of dollars of refund checks that are undelivered due to incorrect mailing addresses or wrong bank account numbers. What if you moved or changed bank accounts since you filed your tax return and the IRS does not have your new mailing address or new bank account number? Read on to learn how to update this information.

How to Claim a Missing Tax Refund Payment

If your refund check was returned to the IRS, you might be able to change your address online via the IRS website.
Call 1-800-829-1040 to verify your mailing address or your bank account.
If you can't update your mailing address online, download and mail Form 8822 to the address listed on the tax form.
Next time, e-File your taxes and sign up for direct deposit. It is more accurate, safer, and you get your refund faster!

View the latest e-file and direct deposit statistics.

What happens when I submit the wrong bank information on my tax return?

If you recently filed or e-filed a 2021 Return and submitted inaccurate banking information - an incorrect digit, a closed account - then this is the data the IRS will use to issue your tax refund. Additionally, this is the account that they will use to issue any future stimulus checks or Economic Impact Payments. If you put in the wrong information for a banking account after selecting direct deposit to receive your refund, this unfortunately cannot be updated with the IRS. Once e-filed andaccepted, the IRS will attempt to deposit the refund into the account. If there is an issue, it will be mailed to you to the address submitted on your tax return.

This cannot be fixed by filing a tax amendment. Be sure that, at the very least, your address is current and accurate when you submit your return. If your direct deposit is failed for any reason, they will issue you a paper check to the address on record. This is also the information that will remain on IRS record until it is changed either by updating your address or filing a tax return the following year.

Why am I missing part of my tax refund?

Only the IRS - not eFile.com or any other tax preparation platforms - adjust refunds. If you received a smaller refund amount than what was on your return, the most common reason for this is a refund offset. All or some of your refund may have been used to pay any past-due federal tax, child support, alimony payments, state tax, or other federal debts. For 2021 Returns, taxpayers who claimed an inaccurate amount of the first and second stimulus payments would have seen their refund adjusted to the correct amount.

Generally, you will receive an IRS notice informing you of these changes. Additionally, you can typically find the reasoning via the IRS "Where's My Refund?" Tool.

Why is my refund so low 2021, 2022?

If you received a raise or higher salary during the year, your income may have moved you up to a higher tax bracket. As such, if you did not adjust your income tax withholding, then this would effectively lower your refund since your withholding is based on a smaller salary. If your income situation changed during the year, utilize the free W-4 tools on eFile.com to create and submit a new W-4.

Other reasons for lower tax refunds include adjusted tax credits or new tax laws or reforms.

Unclaimed IRS Tax Refunds

For Tax Year 2017, as of April 05, 2021, the unclaimed IRS income tax refund amount was over $1.3 billion. That is an estimated 1.3 million individual taxpayers who did not file a 2017 Federal Income Tax Return. In addition, these taxpayers will most likely also not claim a large amount of state tax refunds. You had until May 17, 2021 to file a claim these refunds. Unfortunately, it is now too late to claim a refund for a 2017 IRS and/or state tax return and you may have missed out on a refund that was due to you! Still, it is recommended to file the return regardless. Since it cannot be e-filed, see previous year tax forms you can fill out and mail.

Maybe you thought your income was so low that you did not have to prepare and e-File or file a tax return. Even if this was the case, did you know that you still might be eligible for a tax refund? For example, you might have had a job and taxes were withheld every month, but you did not file a tax return because you had too little income. You might still be able to claim this money in form of a tax refund. Or maybe taxes were not withheld, but you might be eligible for a refundable EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit). All these might mean a tax refund for you! See if you should or may want to file a tax return.

In addition, the IRS has estimated figures for those who failed to file a previous year state tax return, accounting for millions of dollars worth of state tax refunds. File your previous federal and state tax returns before you no longer have access to your hard-earned money.

When to File Taxes By

Generally, you have three years from the original tax return deadline to file the return and claim your refund. After three years, the refund will go to the government, specifically the U.S. Treasury. Don't miss out on the refund that is due you!

Please refer to the table below for deadlines to claim tax refunds (or pay taxes owed) for a specific tax year.

Tax Year

Tax Return Deadline

File Return and Claim Refund By

Claim Refund Instructions

Taxes Owed Instructions

2021

April 18, 2022

April 18, 2025

Starts in January 2022. Register to TaxWin Now! e-File from January 1 - October 15, 2022.

2020

May 17, 2021

May 17, 2024

File a 2020 Return even if you can't pay your taxes as late filing penalties are higher than late payment penalties. Here are options to pay your taxes.

2019

July 15, 2020

July 15, 2023

If you owe 2019 Taxes, file your tax return as soon as possible to reduce late filing fees and late tax payment penalties.

2018

April 15, 2019

April 15, 2022

If you owe 2018 Taxes, file your tax return as soon as possible to reduce late filing fees and late tax payment penalties.

2017

April 18, 2018

May 17, 2021 - expired

If you owe 2017 Taxes, file your tax return as soon as possible to reduce late filing fees even if you can't pay your taxes on time. Generally, late filing penalties are higher than late payment penalties. Tax Payment Plan Options.

2016

April 18, 2017

July 15, 2020 - expired

If you owe 2016 Taxes, file your tax return as soon as possible to reduce late filing fees and penalties.

2015

April 16, 2016

Expired