Do I need to file a tax extension if I'm getting a refund? Can I still claim past refunds?

So I'm really confused about tax extensions because I always thought they were only necessary if you owed the IRS money. For the past couple of years, my life has been absolute chaos (don't even ask lol), and I completely dropped the ball on filing my taxes for 2022 and 2023. I didn't bother with extensions either since I was pretty sure I had refunds coming both years. Now I'm wondering if I messed up by not filing those extensions even though I wasn't going to owe anything. More importantly, is it too late to go back and file those returns to get my refunds? I definitely could use that money right now. Anyone know if there's a cutoff point where you just lose your refund if you wait too long?

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18 comments

NebulaNomad

•8M

You technically should file an extension even if you're expecting a refund. An extension gives you more time to file your return (until October 15), but it doesn't extend the time to pay any taxes owed - that's why people often associate extensions with owing money. The good news is you can still file returns for 2022 and 2023 and get your refunds! The IRS allows you to claim refunds for up to three years from the original filing deadline. For 2022 taxes (due April 2023), you have until April 2026. For 2023 taxes (due April 2024), you have until April 2027. I'd recommend filing those past returns as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the longer you're essentially giving the government an interest-free loan of your money. Plus, you never know what life might throw at you - better to get those refunds now while you're thinking about it.

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NebulaNomad

•8M

If you're due a refund and file late without an extension, there's generally no penalty. The IRS doesn't penalize people for filing late when they're owed money. The only "penalty" is that you're letting the government hold onto your refund longer than necessary. However, if you end up owing taxes (sometimes people think they're getting a refund but actually owe), then you could face both failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties, plus interest on the unpaid amount. That's why filing an extension is always recommended even if you think you're getting a refund - it protects you just in case your calculations are off.

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Emma Taylor

•8M

I was in a similar situation last year with unfiled taxes from previous years. I tried using regular tax software but kept getting stuck with older tax forms. Then I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it was a lifesaver for catching up on my back taxes. Their system is specifically designed to handle multiple years of unfiled returns, and they have all the older tax forms built in. What really helped me was their document analysis feature - I just uploaded my old W-2s and 1099s, and their system extracted all the information automatically. Saved me hours of manual data entry across multiple years. The best part was that they identified some deductions I missed that increased my refunds by almost $700!

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Emma Taylor

•8M

They handle everything including preparing the returns for previous years. While current year returns can be e-filed, you're right that prior year returns typically need to be printed and mailed. Taxr.ai prepares the complete return packages for you with instructions on where to mail them, so you don't have to figure that out yourself. There's a transparent fee structure with no hidden charges. They charge based on the complexity of your tax situation rather than per year, so it's often more cost-effective than paying for multiple years separately through traditional tax software. I filed 3 years of returns and it was definitely worth it for the time saved and the additional refund money they found.

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Isabella Silva

•8M

I need to publicly eat my words about being skeptical of taxr.ai! After my doubtful comment, I decided to try them for my unfiled 2021 and 2022 returns. The process was surprisingly straightforward - uploaded my documents, answered some questions, and they handled everything. The document scanning feature correctly pulled all my info from my messy W-2s and 1099s (which is impressive because my employer's scanner is terrible). They found a student loan interest deduction I completely forgot about for 2021 and some business expenses for my side gig that I didn't know I could claim. Ended up with about $1,400 more in refunds than I expected! Just got confirmation that both refunds are being processed by the IRS. If you're behind on filing like I was, definitely check them out.

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Ravi Choudhury

•8M

If you're trying to deal with the IRS about those unfiled returns or checking on your refund status, good luck getting through on the phone. I spent WEEKS trying to reach someone at the IRS about my unfiled returns situation. Always "high call volume" and disconnects. I finally used this service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) after seeing someone recommend it here. They have this system that holds your place in the IRS phone queue and calls you when an agent is available. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was super skeptical, but I was connected to an actual IRS agent within 45 minutes (after trying for weeks on my own!). The agent confirmed I was still eligible for my 2021 refund and gave me specific instructions for filing it properly. Saved me so much frustration!

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Ravi Choudhury

•8M

They don't call the IRS for you. The way it works is they use an automated system that continuously redials and navigates the IRS phone tree until it gets into the queue. Once you're in the queue, their system holds your place and calls you when an actual agent picks up. Then you take the call directly - you're talking to the real IRS, not some third party. I was definitely skeptical too. But the difference is they have the technology to keep redialing automatically when normal callers get the "high call volume" message and give up. It's not about "skipping the line" - you still wait your turn, but their system does the frustrating part of getting into the queue in the first place. I wasted so much time trying to get through myself before using it, so I understand the skepticism, but it genuinely worked for me.

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Freya Johansen

•8M

I have to follow up about Claimyr because I just had to eat my words about it being BS. After posting that skeptical comment, I was still desperate to talk to someone at the IRS about my unfiled 2020 return, so I figured "what do I have to lose?" and tried it. Not only did I get through to the IRS, but it happened way faster than I expected - about 35 minutes from when I signed up to when my phone rang with an actual IRS agent on the line. The agent was able to confirm that I could still file for my 2020 refund (I have until April 2024) and gave me specifics about what documentation I needed to include. I was 100% wrong and I'm actually glad I was. Just wanted to post this for anyone else who's skeptical - it legitimately works and saved me from what was becoming a multi-month ordeal.

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Omar Fawzi

•8M

Another thing to consider is that even if you don't owe taxes, there might be credits you're eligible for that you can only get by filing. Like the Earned Income Tax Credit or education credits if you were in school. These can be worth thousands of dollars, but you have to file to claim them, even if you didn't have any tax withheld. Some tax credits are even refundable, meaning they can give you money back even if you didn't pay any taxes in. Don't leave that money on the table!

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Omar Fawzi

•8M

Yes, there are several ways to check your eligibility for tax credits without completing a full return. The IRS website has eligibility assistants for many major credits like the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit). Most tax software also has free assessment tools that will ask you a series of questions to determine potential credits. For a really quick check, the IRS has a tool called "Do I Qualify for EITC?" that takes about 5 minutes to complete. For education credits, if you paid tuition and were enrolled at least half-time, you're likely eligible for something like the American Opportunity Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit. The basic eligibility requirements are pretty straightforward, but the exact amount depends on your income and specific situation.

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