Millions of Americans may be unaware that they are eligible for unclaimed IRS refunds related to penalties and interest accrued during the COVID-19 pandemic. This opportunity stems from the court ruling in Kwong v. United States, which questioned the IRS's assessment of penalties during the national emergency. Tax professionals emphasize the urgency of filing a protective claim using IRS Form 843 before the deadline of July 10, 2026. This claim preserves taxpayers' rights to refunds if the court ruling is upheld. The potential eligibility is broad, encompassing individuals, small businesses, estates, and trusts that faced penalties between January 2020 and July 2023. Despite the significance of this ruling, the IRS has not actively promoted the refund opportunities, leading to widespread unawareness among taxpayers. Experts recommend reviewing IRS tax transcripts to identify any refundable amounts and filing claims promptly to avoid losing rights to potential refunds.