Internal Revenue Service United States Department of the Treasury
Level Basic Intermediate Advanced Military International

Amended and Prior Year Returns

Time Limits

Time Limit on Refunds

There is a statute of limitations on refunds being claimed on amended returns. In general, if a refund is expected on an amended return, taxpayers must file the return within three years from the due date of the original return, or within two years after the date they paid the tax, whichever is later.

Returns filed before the due date (without regard to extensions) are considered filed on the due date.

Example

Robert's 2008 tax return was due April 15, 2009. He filed it on March 20, 2009. He wants to amend his 2008 return, expecting the correction to result in a refund. If he gets it postmarked on or before April17, 2012, it will be within the three-year limit and the return will be accepted. But if the amended 2008 return is postmarked after April 17, 2012, it will fall outside the three-year period and he will not receive the refund.

Hourglass.