Deadline approaches: Last chance to claim $1 billion 2020 stimulus checks and unclaimed refunds
May 17 is the last day to claim stimulus checks sent by the federal government in 2020. Don’t miss out! What you need to know about filing your return...
Taxpayers in the United States have three years to submit their tax returns and be eligible for a refund. The deadline to submit a 2020 tax return is 17 May 2024, which happens to be the last opportunity to claim larger refunds due to pandemic-related assistance passed by Congress in the year following the initial outbreak of the global health emergency.
The IRS reported that the median refund size for the 2020 tax year was $932, varying slightly by state.
- Alabama: $926
- Alaska: $931
- Arizona: $871
- Arkansas: $923
- California: $835
- Colorado: $894
- Connecticut: $978
- Delaware: $945
- District of Columbia: $968
- Florida: $891
- Georgia: $900
- Hawaii: $979
- Idaho: $761
- Illinois: $956
- Indiana: $922
- Iowa: $953
- Kansas: $900
- Kentucky: $920
- Louisiana: $957
- Maine: $923
- Maryland: $991
- Massachusetts: $975
- Michigan: $976
- Minnesota: $818
- Mississippi: $861
- Missouri: $893
- Montana: $851
- Nebraska: $901
- Nevada: $890
- New Hampshire: $982
- New Jersey: $920
- New Mexico: $868
- New York: $1,029
- North Carolina: $895
- North Dakota: $953
- Ohio: $909
- Oklahoma: $902
- Oregon: $847
- Pennsylvania: $1,031
- Rhode Island: $986
- South Carolina: $840
- South Dakota: $892
- Tennessee: $909
- Texas: $960
- Utah: $836
- Vermont: $911
- Virginia: $914
- Washington: $976
- West Virginia: $950
- Wisconsin: $837
- Wyoming: $961
Source: IRS
It is important to note that this deadline will also be the last chance to claim economic impact payments, popularly known as stimulus checks distributed in 2020. The payments were made to everyone earning under the income limits, which were set at an Adjusted Gross Income of $75,000 ($150,000 for married couples filing jointly), with the stimulus check value reducing in a tapered fashion up to a maximum of $99,000 ($198,000 for married couples filing jointly). If you did not receive yours, this month is the last that they can be claimed. Be sure not to miss the deadline!
Those who did not receive their stimulus checks on time as part of their 2020 tax refund will be unable to claim them after this final filing deadline. However, the other stimulus check sent as a part of the American Resuce Plan after Presidnet Biden took office will be claimable until next year. There is no need to wait; one can submit their 2020 and 2021 returns and receive both if they haven’t already done so this year.
How to file a return late
Don’t miss your opportunity to get a refund from the IRS. The video below was published by the tax authority and provides critical information to those looking to submit a return by the 17 May deadline.
Taxpayers who have yet to file their 2020 return have until 17 May to do so.
The return cannot be filed electronically in most cases
A paper return must be submitted if you plan to submit your return yourself. The IRS website states that “prior year returns can only be filed electronically by registered tax preparers for the two previous tax years.”
Getting help from the IRS
The IRS stands ready to help taxpayers filing refunds from years past. In addition to the staff that can work through problems over the phone, there are sites across the country with volunteers who can help ensure you submit your refund without any simple mistakes that could delay it. You can contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.. Additionally, you can make an appointment with your local office to get in-person support. The list of offices can be found on the IRS website.