Can I still claim my 2020 tax refund in 2024? Time window question

So I completely forgot to file my 2020 taxes until this year. I've heard there's this 3-year window for claiming tax refunds, and I'm trying to figure out if I'm still within that timeframe. Since 2020 taxes were due to be filed in 2021, does that mean I'm still good to claim my refund since it's 2024 now? Technically that's within the three-year mark right? I just got all my paperwork together and realized I was owed money back for 2020, but I'm worried that I might have missed the deadline. Can someone clarify how exactly the 3-year rule works for claiming refunds? I don't want to go through all the trouble of filing if the IRS is just going to tell me I'm too late.

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18 comments

Carmen Ruiz

•8M

You're cutting it very close, but you should still be able to claim your 2020 tax refund. The IRS generally allows taxpayers 3 years from the original filing deadline to claim a refund. For 2020 tax returns, the original deadline was May 17, 2021 (it was extended from April 15 due to COVID). This means you have until May 17, 2024 to file and claim any refund owed to you. If you miss this deadline, you'll permanently lose your refund. The IRS doesn't grant extensions for refund claims beyond the 3-year window. I'd recommend filing your 2020 return as soon as possible, and make sure to use paper filing since the IRS no longer accepts e-filing for 2020 returns at this point.

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Carmen Ruiz

•8M

Yes, the same 3-year rule applies to amended returns as well. You have 3 years from the original filing deadline (or the date you actually filed, whichever is later) to submit an amended return and claim additional refunds. So for 2020 taxes, you still have until May 17, 2024 to file a Form 1040-X to correct any mistakes and claim additional refunds you're entitled to. For amended returns, you'll definitely need to file a paper Form 1040-X as the IRS has very specific requirements for processing these. Make sure to clearly explain the reasons for the amendment and include any supporting documentation that justifies the additional deductions you're claiming.

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Zoe Alexopoulos

•8M

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Zoe Alexopoulos

•8M

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Mei Wong

•8M

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QuantumQuasar

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QuantumQuasar

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Amara Eze

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Giovanni Greco

•8M

Be aware that even if you file before the May 17 deadline, there might be processing delays for refunds from a 2020 return filed in 2024. The IRS is still dealing with backlogs, and paper returns (which you'll have to use for 2020 at this point) take longer to process than electronic returns. Also, make sure you're using the correct tax forms from 2020, not current year forms. Tax laws change, and using the wrong year's forms will cause your return to be rejected. You can download 2020 tax forms from the IRS website's prior year forms section.

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Giovanni Greco

•8M

You can find prior year forms on the IRS website by going to https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions and then clicking on "Find Prior Year Forms & Instructions" in the left sidebar. From there, you can select "2020" from the dropdown menu to access all forms from that tax year. For the basic 1040 form from 2020, you can directly go to: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2020.pdf. Make sure you also download any other schedules you might need like Schedule 1, Schedule C (for self-employment), etc. from that same prior year section. The instructions for each form are also available there, which can be helpful since the rules may have changed since 2020.

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