Help Your Clients Recover Missed Refunds Before It’s Too Late

March 31, 2026

The April 15 filing deadline for individual income tax returns is fast approaching, and tax preparation professionals are clearly focused on filing client returns for tax year 2025.

But the Internal Revenue Service reported March 20, April 15 is also the last chance for as many as 1.3 million taxpayers to claim their share of $1.2 billion in unclaimed refunds from 2022. Taxpayers who fail to act before the deadline will permanently forfeit the funds to the U.S. Treasury.

For tax professionals, this announcement is more than a general reminder—it is a call to proactively identify affected clients. Many individuals who did not file in 2022 may assume they are not required to do so, particularly lower-income taxpayers. However, the IRS emphasizes that failing to file could mean missing out on a median refund of about $686, with some taxpayers eligible for significantly more when credits are considered.

Preparers should also let their clients know that unclaimed refunds may include valuable credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which was worth up to $6,935 for qualifying taxpayers in 2022. This is especially important for low- and moderate-income clients who may not realize they qualify.

Advising clients on next steps is critical. First, preparers should encourage any client who did not file a 2022 return to do so immediately using Form 1040. Clients who are missing documentation—such as W-2s or 1099s—should request copies from employers or financial institutions, or access IRS transcripts online.

Second, preparers must remind clients that filing older returns can affect current compliance. The IRS notes that 2022 refunds may be held if 2023 or 2024 returns remain unfiled, and refunds may be applied to outstanding tax liabilities, child support, or other federal debts.

Finally, timing is important. Unlike late filings where a refund is due, there is no penalty for filing late—but there is a strict three-year window to claim refunds. Once the April 15 deadline passes, the opportunity is lost permanently.

Tax preparers should urgently review client lists, identify non-filers for 2022, and communicate the deadline clearly. Prompt outreach and guidance could mean the difference between clients recovering owed funds and losing them forever.