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Will the IRS Keep My Refund if I Didn't File My Taxes Last Year?

Written by a TurboTax Expert • Reviewed by a TurboTax CPAUpdated for Tax Year 2024 • October 16, 2024 1:44 AM
OVERVIEW

If you're concerned about your tax refund being held by the IRS because of unfiled returns, you have a couple of options to reduce or eliminate any extra wait for your current-year refund.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS does not automatically keep current-year tax refunds if you have not filed a prior-year return.
  • The IRS may keep your current-year refund if it appears you’ll owe money when you do file prior-year returns.
  • If the IRS thinks you owe tax on an unfiled return, you should receive a CP88 notice from the IRS.
  • You can use the response form attached to the CP88 notice to explain why you haven’t filed the return.

IRS tax refunds

The IRS doesn’t automatically keep tax refunds simply because you didn’t file a tax return in a previous year. However, in some cases the IRS may keep your refund if you have not filed a prior-year return, and it appears that you’ll owe money when you do. If you’re concerned about your refund being held because of unfiled returns, you have a couple of options to reduce or eliminate any extra wait for your current-year refund.

Possible tax balances on unfiled returns

When you don’t file a return, the IRS uses information in its system to determine whether you’re at risk for owing tax. The information in the IRS system includes forms provided by third parties, like your W-2, 1099 and 1098 forms.

When the IRS uses this information to estimate your tax, it does not consider your filing status or deductions because the IRS doesn’t know what you’re eligible to claim on an unfiled return. So, just because the IRS thinks you might owe, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will. The only way to know for sure is to prepare your unfiled return.

CP88 notice

If a refund of yours is being held because the IRS thinks you’ll owe tax on a prior-year unfiled return, you’ll receive a CP88 notice from the IRS. This notice explains why your refund is being held and lists the return years you need to file to get your refund released.

TurboTax Tip:

The IRS will release your current-year refund when they receive your prior-year missing returns or accept your explanation that you aren’t required to file for the years listed in your notice.

Response form

When you receive a CP88 notice, a response form will be attached. You can use this form to tell the IRS about your unfiled returns and mail it back, or call the toll free number in the upper right corner of the notice and speak with an agent directly.

Examples of responses you can make:

  • No filing requirement—Use this explanation if you weren’t required to file for that year, based on IRS criteria.
  • Already filed—If you already filed the returns the IRS is concerned about, tell the IRS when and where the returns were filed. It isn’t uncommon for returns to take more than 8 to 12 weeks to process, so if you filed within this time frame, it’s possible that your returns were not in the IRS system when the CP88 notice was generated.
  • Reason for filing late—If circumstances beyond your control prevent you from filing any outstanding return, let the IRS know. Examples of acceptable reasons for late filing include loss of records, family issues, medical restrictions and required periods of absence from the United States. Depending on your circumstance, the IRS may be able to help you get the documents and forms you need to get your returns prepared.

Release of refund

If the IRS keeps your refund because of outstanding returns, the agency will release it either when the IRS receives your missing returns or after they accept your explanation that you aren’t required to file for the years listed in your notice.

If you do owe tax on your unfiled returns, the IRS will use your refund toward those balances after you file. If any refund remains, you’ll receive the balance within a few weeks after the tax on your previously unfiled returns is paid.

With TurboTax Live Full Service, a local expert matched to your unique situation will do your taxes for you start to finish. Or, get unlimited help and advice from tax experts while you do your taxes with TurboTax Live Assisted.

And if you want to file your own taxes, you can still feel confident you'll do them right with TurboTax as we guide you step by step. No matter which way you file, we guarantee 100% accuracy and your maximum refund.

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~37% of filers qualify. Simple Form 1040 returns only (no schedules except for Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and student loan interest).

Looking for more information?

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The above article is intended to provide generalized financial information designed to educate a broad segment of the public; it does not give personalized tax, investment, legal, or other business and professional advice. Before taking any action, you should always seek the assistance of a professional who knows your particular situation for advice on taxes, your investments, the law, or any other business and professional matters that affect you and/or your business.

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