# Pursuing IRS refunds: time limit **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 14, 2008, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pursuing-irs-refunds-time-limit/445300 "2008-04-14T14:34:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pursuing-irs-refunds-time-limit/445300/1 "2008-04-14T14:34:43Z")
Someone asked me this: A filer made an error on some previous year’s return that it turned out that your refund should have been higher (and you have documentation to back it up). What’s the farthest back a person can go back and claim it? I had heard one time (15 or so years ago) that it was two years (that is, the error was on a return within the past two years). Anything older, and you’re SOL. The person asking that that it was as much as four years.Anything older, and you’re SOL. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2008, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pursuing-irs-refunds-time-limit/445300/2 "2008-04-14T15:12:15Z")
> [@IRS](#): > > File Form 1040X only after you have filed your original return. Generally, for a credit or refund, Form 1040X must be filed within 3 years after the date you filed the original return or within 2 years after the date you paid the tax, whichever is later. A return filed early is considered filed on the due date. [IRS instructions for Form 1040-X](http://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040x/ch01.html#d0e68)