IRS Says File Soon for $1.5 Billion in Unclaimed Tax Refunds
Unclaimed tax refunds from 2019 are waiting for millions of people who might not know it – but only if they file the pandemic-era tax return soon. Are you one of them?

Unclaimed tax refunds totaling about $1.5 billion remain unclaimed at the IRS because millions of taxpayers haven’t filed their tax returns for the 2019 tax year. (In other words, you might have money waiting for you and not even know it).
IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel explained in a statement that because the 2019 tax returns were due in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, “many people may have overlooked or forgotten about these refunds.” Werfel added that the IRS recommends that taxpayers “start soon to make sure that they don’t miss out.”
$1.5 Billion Unclaimed Tax Refunds: Are You Due One?
Normally, taxpayers have three years to file their federal tax return and to claim tax refunds due, if any. After the three years pass, the unclaimed refund money becomes U.S. Treasury Department property. While that is the normal rule, the three-year period for filing returns and claiming refunds was extended for 2019 federal tax returns because of the pandemic.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
So, for 2019 returns that would typically have been filed in April 2020, the window for unfiled returns was pushed to July 17, 2023. That means that people who still haven’t filed their 2019 returns have only about three months to do so before they lose tax refunds associated with that tax return.
Average Refund Amount of $893
How much money are we talking about? The IRS says that the average median unclaimed refund amount for 2019 is $893. That means that about half of the refunds are more than that amount and about half are less. In terms of who is probably due a refund, Commissioner Werfel said in a statement, “Students, part-time workers, and others with little income overlook filing a tax return and never realize that they may be owed a refund.”
Even though the agency has estimated the average refund, the actual amount that you may receive (if you’re due a refund and file your 2019 tax return before the July deadline) will depend on your specific tax situation. However, the IRS has created state-by-state estimates of how many people might be due refunds. That information also shows the median potential refund and the total potential refunds for each state.
- For example, in California, close to 145,000 people have unclaimed IRS refunds at an estimated potential median amount of $856 each. That’s potentially more than $141 million in unclaimed money.
- Some states with relatively high estimated potential median refund amounts are Massachusetts at $966, New Hampshire at $974, and West Virginia at $959.
- In West Virginia, as another example, the IRS estimates that about 6,500 people are due refunds with the total potential refunds for the state being about $7 million.
For more information about the number of people who may be due 2019 IRS refunds and the estimated amounts of money involved, visit the IRS website.
Unclaimed IRS Refunds: What Should You Do?
If you think you may have an unclaimed IRS refund, you should review and gather the records needed to file your 2019 federal income tax return by July 17, 2023. That may seem daunting because nearly three years have passed, but the IRS has ways that you can request key documents and transcripts that you may need to file.
For example, if don’t have a W-2, or other important tax forms from 2019, like a 1099 form, you can request copies from your former employer. Banks, or other payors, for certain tax forms, may be able to help as well.
If your former employers or payors can’t help you, the IRS has a Get Transcript Online tool. The agency also has a way to request a transcript of your wage and income. While, according to the IRS, their online transcript tool is a fast and relatively easy approach, the agency warns that ordering a transcript using a written request can take several weeks.
Note: Keep in mind that even if you are due a refund from 2019, the IRS might hold on to your check if you haven’t filed tax returns for 2020 and 2021. Also, if you owed the IRS or a state tax agency or have unpaid child support or other federal debts, you might not receive your refund money.
With more than 20 years of experience as a corporate attorney and business journalist, Kelley R. Taylor has contributed to numerous national print and digital magazines on key issues spanning education, law, health, finance, and tax. Over the years, Kelley has extensively covered major tax developments and changes including the TCJA, pandemic-era changes in ARPA, the SECURE 2.0 Act, and the numerous clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act. Kelley particularly enjoys translating complex information in ways that help empower people in their daily lives and work.
-
-
New Mexico Rebate Checks Up to $1,000 Coming in June
New Mexico rebate checks will be sent soon. Here's what you should know.
By Katelyn Washington • Published
-
Should Graduates Spend or Save Their Gift Money? 14 Strategies to Consider
Financial experts share tips for deciding how to treat monetary gifts.
By Kiplinger Advisor Collective • Published
-
States With Low and No Capital Gains Tax
Low-tax states including states with no capital gains tax are selling points for many people lately.
By Kelley R. Taylor • Published
-
94-Year-Old Prevails in Home Equity Supreme Court Case
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that "home equity theft" violates the Constitution.
By Kelley R. Taylor • Published
-
Supreme Court: Yes, the IRS Can Secretly Obtain Your Bank Records
The Supreme Court has sided with the IRS in a case that involves owing the IRS money, taxpayer privacy, and notice.
By Kelley R. Taylor • Published
-
Texas Imposes New Tax on Electric Vehicles
Texans who own or buy electric vehicles will soon see their registration costs jump nearly 800%.
By Katelyn Washington • Published
-
Will an IRS Tax Prep Service Replace H&R Block or TurboTax?
A government-run tax preparation and filing service has some wondering if people will leave H&R Block and TurboTax and let the IRS do their taxes instead.
By Kelley R. Taylor • Published
-
Half of Mothers Have Little or No Retirement Savings
Mother’s Day comes and goes, but many moms face future financial insecurity because they have little or no retirement savings.
By Kelley R. Taylor • Last updated
-
Having a Baby Could Soon Cost Less in These States
Having a baby is expensive, but these states are trying to make it less costly by eliminating the tax on diapers.
By Katelyn Washington • Published
-
The Most Expensive States to Die In (Due to Death Taxes)
You probably know the cost of living in your state, but what about the cost of dying — death taxes?
By Katelyn Washington • Published