The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is issuing a critical reminder to nearly 1.5 million taxpayers across the nation: your window to claim tax refunds for the 2019 tax year is rapidly closing. If you haven’t yet filed your 2019 tax return, you have until the July 17, 2023, deadline to submit your paperwork and potentially recover unclaimed money.
According to IRS estimates, the median potential refund for the 2019 tax year is $893. This represents a significant sum of unclaimed money that could provide crucial financial relief to individuals and families.
“The clock is ticking for individuals who are owed a tax refund from 2019,” emphasized IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “July 17 is the final date for taxpayers who did not file a 2019 tax return to claim their refund. We strongly encourage people who may have overlooked filing during the pandemic to take immediate action. This is a last chance to claim what could be a substantial refund.”
Who is Eligible for This Unclaimed Money?
Many low-to-moderate-income workers may be particularly entitled to this unclaimed money, especially if they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is a valuable tax credit designed to help individuals and families with modest incomes. For the 2019 tax year, individuals with incomes below certain thresholds and qualifying children could be eligible for as much as $6,557 through the EITC.
Here are the 2019 income thresholds for EITC eligibility:
- $50,162 (or $55,952 if married filing jointly) for those with three or more qualifying children.
- $46,703 (or $52,493 if married filing jointly) for people with two qualifying children.
- $41,094 (or $46,884 if married filing jointly) for those with one qualifying child.
- $15,570 (or $21,370 if married filing jointly) for individuals without qualifying children.
Why is There Unclaimed Money? The Three-Year Deadline
Generally, taxpayers have a three-year window to file and claim their tax refunds. If a return isn’t filed within this three-year period, the unclaimed money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2019 tax returns, the usual deadline was extended to July 17, 2023, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To claim your refund, your 2019 tax return must be properly addressed, mailed, and postmarked by this final deadline.
Important Considerations When Claiming Your 2019 Refund
The IRS also reminds taxpayers that if you are owed a 2019 tax refund, but have not filed tax returns for 2020 and 2021, your refund check may be held. Furthermore, any unclaimed money will be applied to any outstanding debts you may have. This includes:
- Unpaid amounts owed to the IRS.
- State tax agency debts.
- Unpaid child support.
- Past due federal debts, such as student loans.
Need to File a 2019 Tax Return? Here’s How to Gather Your Documents
Even though 2019 may seem like a distant memory, the IRS provides several accessible options to help you gather the necessary documents to file your tax return and claim your unclaimed money.
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Request Copies of Key Documents: If you are missing essential forms like Forms W-2, 1098, 1099, or 5498 for 2019, 2020, or 2021, your first step should be to contact your employer, bank, or other payers to request copies.
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Utilize Get Transcript Online at IRS.gov: For a quick and efficient solution, the IRS Get Transcript Online tool is invaluable. Available at IRS.gov, this tool allows you to access a free wage and income transcript. This is often the fastest and easiest method for obtaining your necessary income information.
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Request a Transcript via Form 4506-T: As another option, you can file Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return with the IRS to specifically request a “wage and income transcript.” This transcript will provide data from information returns received by the IRS, including Forms W-2, 1099, 1098, Form 5498, and IRA contribution details. While this method provides comprehensive information, be aware that written requests can take several weeks to process. It’s recommended to explore the online options first for quicker access.
State-by-State Look at Unclaimed 2019 Tax Refunds
Across the United States, a significant amount of unclaimed money remains. The IRS estimates that nearly $1.5 billion in refunds are still waiting to be claimed for the 2019 tax year. The following table provides a state-by-state breakdown of the estimated number of individuals potentially eligible for these refunds, along with the median potential refund amount for each state.
| State or District | Estimated Number of Individuals | Median Potential Refund |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 23,900 | $880 |
| Alaska | 6,000 | $917 |
| Arizona | 35,400 | $824 |
| Arkansas | 12,800 | $864 |
| California | 144,700 | $856 |
| Colorado | 30,100 | $859 |
| Connecticut | 15,400 | $934 |
| Delaware | 5,700 | $880 |
| District of Columbia | 4,400 | $887 |
| Florida | 89,300 | $893 |
| Georgia | 48,000 | $826 |
| Hawaii | 8,800 | $932 |
| Idaho | 7,600 | $758 |
| Illinois | 55,800 | $916 |
| Indiana | 31,700 | $916 |
| Iowa | 15,300 | $926 |
| Kansas | 14,600 | $913 |
| Kentucky | 18,600 | $906 |
| Louisiana | 22,000 | $877 |
| Maine | 6,400 | $876 |
| Maryland | 31,400 | $897 |
| Massachusetts | 35,700 | $966 |
| Michigan | 48,500 | $888 |
| Minnesota | 23,200 | $848 |
| Mississippi | 12,300 | $820 |
| Missouri | 31,800 | $880 |
| Montana | 5,200 | $854 |
| Nebraska | 7,800 | $893 |
| Nevada | 15,800 | $869 |
| New Hampshire | 6,900 | $974 |
| New Jersey | 40,500 | $924 |
| New Mexico | 9,600 | $867 |
| New York | 81,600 | $945 |
| North Carolina | 45,800 | $862 |
| North Dakota | 3,700 | $958 |
| Ohio | 51,800 | $868 |
| Oklahoma | 21,400 | $897 |
| Oregon | 23,700 | $801 |
| Pennsylvania | 56,000 | $924 |
| Rhode Island | 4,300 | $924 |
| South Carolina | 18,200 | $809 |
| South Dakota | 3,700 | $918 |
| Tennessee | 28,100 | $873 |
| Texas | 135,300 | $924 |
| Utah | 11,700 | $845 |
| Vermont | 3,100 | $901 |
| Virginia | 42,200 | $869 |
| Washington | 42,400 | $934 |
| West Virginia | 6,500 | $959 |
| Wisconsin | 21,000 | $834 |
| Wyoming | 3,300 | $949 |
| Totals | 1,469,000 | $893 |
Don’t Miss Out on Your Unclaimed Money
If you think you may be one of the 1.5 million taxpayers who are due a refund for 2019, it’s crucial to act now. Gather your necessary tax documents and file your 2019 tax return before the July 17, 2023 deadline. This unclaimed money could make a real difference to your financial well-being. Visit IRS.gov today to explore the resources available and take the first step towards claiming your refund.
