You are referring to a tax refund. If you filed a 2020 tax return and it was Accepted by the IRS then the IRS has the return. If the bank account you entered on the 2020 tax return for direct deposit of the tax refund is closed then if the IRS sent the refund the bank would have rejected the deposit and sent the refund back to the IRS. The IRS would then have mailed a refund check to the address on the tax return.
You do not "claim" a federal tax refund from a prior tax year on the current tax year federal tax return.
What is the status of the federal tax refund on the IRS website for tax year 2020 - https://www.irs.gov/refunds
You Must enter on the IRS tax refund status website the exact Social Security number, the Filing Status and the whole dollar amount of the federal tax refund as shown on the 2020 federal tax return Form 1040. If the status of the 2020 federal tax refund is not available on the IRS website then you need to speak with an IRS agent concerning the tax return.
Call the IRS: 1-800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday
When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.
So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info). Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.
Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".
Then press 3 "for all other questions."
Then press 2 "for all other questions."
- When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don't enter anything.
- After it asks twice, you will get another menu.
Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
Then press 4 for all other inquiries
It should then transfer you to an agent.
