Internal Revenue Service - Information Release
IR-2024-133
IRS final reminder: Time to claim $1 billion in tax refunds from 2020 expires May 17   
May 6, 2024 
   
   
   
Media Relations Office
Washington, D.C.
www.IRS.gov/newsroom   
Media Contact: 202.317.4000   
Public Contact: 800.829.1040
   
 IRS final reminder: Time to claim $1 billion in tax refunds    
 from 2020 expires May 17    
     
IR-2024-133, May 6, 2024   
   
WASHINGTON The Internal Revenue Service today reminded the 1 million people who didn't file their tax year 2020 returns they may be eligible for a refund if they file by the May 17 deadline.   
     
The IRS estimates more than $1 billion in refunds remain unclaimed because people haven't filed their 2020 tax returns yet. The state-by-state table below shows how many people are potentially eligible for these refunds, and the average median refund in each state.   
     
There's no penalty for failure to file if a refund is due. However, a return claiming a refund must be filed within three years of its due date for a refund to be allowed. After the expiration of the three-year period, the refund statute generally prevents the issuance of a refund check and the application of any credits, including overpayments of estimated taxes or withholding amounts, to other tax years that are underpaid.   
     
For 2020 tax returns, people have a little more time than usual to file their claim for refunds. Typically, the filing deadline to claim old refunds falls around the tax deadline of April 15. However, the 2020 filing deadline was pushed to May 17, due to COVID-19, making the three-year window deadline for 2020 unfiled returns May 17, 2024. The IRS issued Notice 2023-21  on Feb. 27, 2023, providing legal guidance on claims required by the postponed deadline.   
     
 Many people who didn't file may be eligible for more    
     
By missing out on filing a tax return, people stand to lose more than just their refund of taxes withheld or paid during 2020. The estimate does not include credits that non-filers may be eligible to receive. Credits include the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Recovery Rebate Credit  or other credits that may be applicable.   
     
Many low- and moderate-income workers may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). For 2020, the EITC was worth as much as $6,660 for taxpayers with qualifying children. The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds.   
     
The IRS has previously reminded  those who may be entitled to the COVID-era Recovery Rebate Credit in 2020 that time is running out to file a tax return and claim their money. The Recovery Rebate Credit is a refundable credit for individuals who did not receive one or more Economic Impact Payments, also known as stimulus payments, distributed in 2020 and 2021.   
     
 Plan to file? IRS offers options to get key documents    
     
Gathering all the necessary documents and forms to file a return for 2020 may take some time. People should start as soon as possible to make sure they have enough time to file before the May 17 deadline for 2020 refunds. Here are some options:   
     
 -    Request copies of key documents.    Taxpayers who are missing Forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for the years 2020, 2021 or 2022 can request copies from their employer, bank or other payers.   
     
 -    Use Get Transcript Online at IRS.gov.    Taxpayers who have lost contact with their employer or other payers can order a free wage and income transcript at IRS.gov using the Get Transcript Online  tool. For many taxpayers, this is by far the quickest and easiest option.   
     
 -    Request a transcript.    Another option is for people to file Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, with the IRS to request a "wage and income transcript." A wage and income transcript shows data from information returns received by the IRS, such as Forms W-2, 1099, 1098, Form 5498 and IRA contribution information. Taxpayers can use the information from the transcript to file their tax return. But plan ahead - these written requests can take several weeks; people are strongly urged to try the other options first.   
     
 -    Current and prior years' tax forms.    Tax year 2020 Forms 1040 and 1040-SR and instructions are available on the IRS.gov Forms, instructions & publications  page or by calling toll-free 800-TAX-FORM  (800-829-3676).   
     
Taxpayers who are unsure if they are required to file a return can visit Do I need to file a tax return?  or refer to Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals).   
       
 Free help is available    
     
For individuals who have not filed a federal income a tax return for 2020, the IRS offers tools and resources on IRS.gov. Free support includes the Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA), information on What to do if you haven't filed your return, and Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQs).   
     
Qualified taxpayers can also access free tax preparation assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs. Use the VITA Locator Tool  or call 800-906-9887  to locate the nearest VITA site.   
     
The IRS also reassures taxpayers there is no penalty for claiming a refund on a late-filed tax return. Direct deposit is recommended as the quickest and simplest way to receive a tax refund.   
     
 State-by-state estimates of individuals who may be due 2020 income tax refunds    
     
The IRS estimated the number of individuals in each state and the median potential refund a filer may be entitled to receive. The actual refund amount will vary based on a household's tax situation.   
     
 State or    
 district    
 Estimated    
 number of individuals    
 Median    
 potential refund    
 Total    
 potential refunds *     
       
Alabama   
15,200   
$926   
$16,839,800   
Alaska   
3,700   
$931   
$4,335,300   
Arizona   
25,400   
$871   
$26,939,600   
Arkansas   
8,700   
$923   
$9,392,600   
California   
88,200   
$835   
$94,226,300   
Colorado   
18,500   
$894   
$20,109,900   
Connecticut   
9,800   
$978   
$11,343,600   
Delaware   
3,600   
$945   
$4,156,500   
District of Columbia   
2,900   
$968   
$3,503,800   
Florida   
53,200   
$891   
$58,210,500   
Georgia   
36,400   
$900   
$39,175,600   
Hawaii   
5,200   
$979   
$5,972,600   
Idaho   
4,500   
$761   
$4,369,600   
Illinois   
36,200   
$956   
$40,608,000   
Indiana   
19,200   
$922   
$20,893,000   
Iowa   
9,600   
$953   
$10,601,700   
Kansas   
8,700   
$900   
$9,285,600   
Kentucky   
10,600   
$920   
$11,236,300   
Louisiana   
15,100   
$957   
$17,357,300   
Maine   
3,800   
$923   
$4,030,200   
Maryland   
22,200   
$991   
$26,365,400   
Massachusetts   
21,800   
$975   
$25,071,800   
Michigan   
34,900   
$976   
$38,274,800   
Minnesota   
13,500   
$818   
$14,043,900   
Mississippi   
8,100   
$861   
$8,685,000   
Missouri   
19,500   
$893   
$20,803,400   
Montana   
3,400   
$851   
$3,632,100   
Nebraska   
4,700   
$901   
$5,007,300   
Nevada   
10,200   
$890   
$11,143,900   
New Hampshire   
4,200   
$982   
$4,923,100   
New Jersey   
24,400   
$920   
$27,408,300   
New Mexico   
6,500   
$868   
$7,032,700   
New York   
51,400   
$1,029   
$60,837,400   
North Carolina   
27,500   
$895   
$29,304,100   
North Dakota   
2,200   
$953   
$2,482,600   
Ohio   
31,400   
$909   
$32,939,900   
Oklahoma   
14,300   
$902   
$15,566,900   
Oregon   
15,300   
$847   
$15,857,800   
Pennsylvania   
38,600   
$1,031   
$43,412,900   
Rhode Island   
2,600   
$986   
$2,980,500   
South Carolina   
11,900   
$840   
$12,564,900   
South Dakota   
2,200   
$892   
$2,346,300   
Tennessee   
16,800   
$909   
$18,007,000   
Texas   
93,400   
$960   
$107,130,200   
Utah   
7,800   
$836   
$8,191,700   
Vermont   
1,700   
$911   
$1,818,600   
Virginia   
25,900   
$914   
$28,944,600   
Washington   
26,200   
$976   
$31,110,300   
West Virginia   
3,800   
$950   
$4,130,400   
Wisconsin   
11,800   
$837   
$12,139,400   
Wyoming   
2,100   
$961   
$2,416,300   
Totals   
938,800   
$932   
$1,037,161,300   
     
*  Excluding credits.