The IRS has set up an online option for people filing pandemic-era tax refund claims, according to a report from Bloomberg Tax. The move gives filers a digital route to submit claims tied to the tax years affected by COVID-19 relief measures, instead of relying solely on paper.
For anyone still working through a refund related to that period, an IRS pandemic-era tax refund online option matters for one practical reason: electronic filing tends to move faster and leaves a clearer record than mailing forms and waiting.
The details below reflect what Bloomberg Tax reported in its headline coverage. Where a specific figure, date, or step was not stated in that material, this article says so plainly rather than guessing.
What did the IRS actually announce?
Bloomberg Tax reported that the IRS created an online option for pandemic-era tax refund claims. In short, the agency added a digital channel for a category of refund requests connected to the coronavirus pandemic.
The available report does not spell out the exact name of the portal, the precise refund programs it covers, or the full list of forms it replaces. Because those specifics were not included in the source material, they are not confirmed here. Filers should treat the IRS itself as the authority for the exact scope.
Who can use the online option for pandemic-era refund claims?
The source did not publish a detailed eligibility list. Based on the report, the tool is aimed at taxpayers with refund claims tied to the pandemic period rather than routine current-year refunds.
- Likely affected filers: those with outstanding refund claims connected to pandemic-era tax years and relief provisions.
- Not confirmed in the source: specific income thresholds, credit types, or which tax years qualify.
If you are unsure whether your claim fits, the safest step is to confirm directly with the IRS before filing, because eligibility rules for pandemic relief have differed by credit and by year.
How do I file a pandemic-era tax refund claim online?
The report confirms an online option now exists, but it did not lay out a step-by-step process. For that reason, the practical route is to start at the official IRS website, where the agency posts its filing tools and instructions.
- Go to the source: visit IRS.gov and search for the pandemic-era refund claim tool.
- Have your records ready: gather the tax-year documents and any prior correspondence tied to your claim.
- Confirm eligibility first: check that your claim falls within the categories the online option covers.
Because the specific portal name was not given in the reporting, using the official IRS site avoids third-party lookalike pages that sometimes appear around tax filing tools.
Why did the IRS add an online filing route?
The report frames this as a shift toward digital handling of pandemic-era claims. Paper claims are slower to process and harder to track, so an online channel generally reduces backlog pressure and gives taxpayers a faster path.
The source did not quote a specific IRS official or provide the agency’s full stated rationale. As a result, no direct quote is reproduced here. What is confirmed is the practical change: a digital option now exists where a manual process was the norm.
When is the deadline to file?
The available reporting did not state a filing deadline for using the online option. Refund claims generally carry statutory time limits, but the source material does not specify a cutoff date tied to this tool.
Because deadlines for refund claims can hinge on the specific tax year and credit involved, do not assume the window is open indefinitely. Confirm any applicable deadline with the IRS before you rely on it.
Where can I verify this news?
This article is based on reporting by Bloomberg Tax, which published the headline “IRS Creates Online Option for Pandemic-Era Tax Refund Claims.” For the fullest account, read the original report from Bloomberg Tax, and for the official filing tool and rules, go straight to the IRS.
- Original report: Bloomberg Tax (news.bloombergtax.com).
- Official agency: the IRS at IRS.gov.
In short, the headline change is clear even though the fine print is not fully detailed in the available material. If you have a pandemic-era refund claim still in progress, an online submission route is now on the table, and the IRS is the place to confirm exactly how it applies to your situation.
