New Delhi, Feb. 17 -- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax deadline for the final federal tax filing is 15 April 2026 for most US taxpayers. Missing the final tax filing deadline on 15 April, 2026, could have several consequences including the forfeiting of your right to claim a tax refund.

This means that if taxpayers, even if they are eligible, fail to file their taxes within the deadline, such refunds can expire permanently. This rule stays in place even as millions of taxpayers rely on tax refunds every year to plan their finances.

According to IRS data, the average federal tax refund has been around $3,000 in the recent tax filing seasons. Many taxpayers cannot afford to lose this money. Yet, billions of dollars in refund go uncl...