Last Chance: Over 1 Million Americans Must Claim Their $832 IRS Refund Before April Deadline
Over 1.1 million Americans risk losing unclaimed IRS tax refunds from 2021, with individual payouts reaching up to $832. The deadline to claim these refunds is April 15, after which the money becomes U.S. Treasury property permanently.
States with the highest unclaimed refunds include:
- Alaska: $832 average refund ($3.4 million total)
- Georgia: $720 average refund ($33 million total)
- Texas: Significant unclaimed amounts
Key Points About Claiming Your Refund:
- You must file by April 15 to receive your 2021 refund
- Current and previous year returns (2022, 2023) must also be filed
- Free filing tools are available on IRS.gov
- Use "Where's My Refund?" tool to track your payment
Important Filing Tips:
- Double-check Social Security numbers
- Verify birth dates and banking information
- Sign all required forms
- Consider e-filing for faster processing (paper returns take up to 2 months)
2025 Refund Statistics:
- Average tax refund: $1,928 (as of January 31)
- Early filers with direct deposit: Up to $2,069 average
Common Issues That Delay Refunds:
- Math errors
- Incorrect Social Security numbers
- Missing signatures
- Paper filing delays
To claim your refund, visit IRS.gov or use an authorized e-filing service before the April 15 deadline. After this date, all unclaimed funds will be forfeited to the government.