Overview
- The IRS, which on Monday estimated more than 1.3 million people are owed 2022 refunds, set an April 15, 2026 deadline to file before the money is lost.
- Refunds may be withheld if 2023 or 2024 returns are unfiled, and they can be applied to past‑due child support, unpaid taxes, and other government debts through the Treasury Offset Program.
- To claim, taxpayers can request missing W‑2s or 1099s from payers, use the IRS Get Transcript Online tool, or file Form 4506‑T to get a mailed wage and income transcript that can take weeks.
- The IRS estimates a $686 median refund for 2022, and some filers also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit worth up to $6,935, which requires filing a return.
- In this year’s filing season, average refunds are higher than last year at roughly the mid‑$3,600s, though they remain below the $4,000 figure promoted by the president’s allies.