IF YOU DIDN’T FILE A FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURN FOR 2012 BUT WOULD’VE BEEN ENTITLED TO A REFUND IF YOU HAD, IT’S NOT TOO LATE

My headline describes a somewhat surprising message from the IRS that’s linked on the front page of irs.gov under “News.”  If you didn’t file a return for a prior year, you can in most situations claim the refund by filing a return within three years from the original due date, hence the reference back to 2012.
In the message, there’s this helpful quote from the IRS Commissioner: “Don’t forget, there’s no penalty for filing a late return if you’re due a refund.”  Less helpfully, the message also says:
The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2012 refund that their checks may be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2013 and 2014. In addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS, or their state tax agency, and may be used to offset unpaid child support or past due federal debts, such as student loans.
Don’t forget, your 2016 return is due the middle of next month (but not on the 15th).