I Filed My Tax Return Late. Will I Still Get a Refund?

All individual tax returns are due on April 15th of the following year, unless you file for an automatic extension. That extension will make the due date October 15th. If you file your return timely and have no other liabilities that would cause the IRS to keep your refund, you will normally get your refund in about two weeks if you e-file or in about six weeks if you mail in a paper return.

If you file your federal tax return late the IRS will not always issue you a refund. In order to receive your refund, you must file a return before the Refund Statute Expiration Date, or RSED. This date is three years from the due date of the tax return (plus any extensions) or two years after the tax is paid, whichever is later. For example, if you filed your 2007 return with a refund of $1500 on April 16th, 2010, you will get that money back. If you file your 2006 return on April 16th, 2010 with a refund of $900, however, the IRS will not issue you that refund.

The IRS wants individuals to voluntarily comply with the law and this is one way they encourage voluntary compliance.

Income Tax Owed