The clock is ticking for 51,800 Ohioans owed a federal tax refund from 2019.

The Internal Revenue Service says those taxpayers are owed $50.2 million. The median refund is $868.

Failing to act means the federal government will keep your money.

The money is owed to workers who didn't file a tax return in 2020 for 2019. Many of them likely were students, part-time workers and others with little income who probably didn't think they needed to file a return and are owed a refund.

Nationwide, nearly 1.5 million people are owed $1.5 billion with a median refund of $893 from 2020.

The deadline to submit a return to claim the refund is July 17.

Normally, the deadline is whenever the April tax filing deadline is − April 18 this year − but taxpayers are being given more time this year because the IRS delayed the 2020 filing deadline due to the pandemic.

In addition to a refund, many low- and moderate-income workers may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. For 2019, that credit was worth as much as $6,557.

The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2019 refund that their checks could be held if have not filed tax returns for 2020 and '21. Also, the refund will be applied to any amount still owed to the IRS or a state tax agency or may be used to offset unpaid child support and past due federal debts.

Also, taxpayers can get free wage and income information and view their tax records at IRS.gov using the Get Transcript Online tool. For most taxpayers, that is the quickest and easiest way to get this information.

Missing tax documents such as from W-2 may be available from their employer or bank.

mawilliams@dispatch.com

@BizMarkWilliams

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohioans owed $50 million in tax returns. Are you one of them?