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Time is Running Out: Claim Your Unfiled 2022 Tax Refund

If you forgot to file your 2022 tax return and are owed a refund, the window to claim that money is rapidly closing. The IRS estimates that roughly $1.5 billion in unclaimed refunds sits waiting for taxpayers who failed to file three years prior. To secure your 2022 refund, your return must be filed by April 15, 2026. Miss this hard deadline, and those funds permanently become the property of the U.S. Treasury.

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Beyond Withholdings: Refundable Credits at Stake

Failing to submit a 2022 return means losing more than just excess taxes withheld from your paycheck. Low- to moderate-income earners may miss out on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a valuable refundable credit. Families and students also risk forfeiting the refundable portions of the Child Tax Credit and various education credits.

Filing Rules and Potential Offsets

Because 2022 returns are now past due, they cannot be electronically filed. You must mail a paper return, and it must be properly addressed and officially postmarked by April 15, 2026. Do not rely on dropping it in a corner USPS mailbox on deadline day. We recommend taking it directly to the post office days in advance for an official stamp.

Keep in mind that the IRS will hold your 2022 refund if you still need to file for 2020 or 2021. Furthermore, any approved refund will be automatically applied to outstanding debts, such as unpaid taxes, child support, or federal student loans. Fortunately, there is no failure-to-file penalty if you are owed a refund.

Get Help With Your Past-Due Taxes

Time is short to prepare, print, and mail your paperwork with proof of delivery. Call our office immediately to schedule a consultation so we can secure your 2022 refund before it disappears.

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