Can I claim old receipts if I forgot to file them?

Yes — sometimes. Whether you can still use old receipts depends on what you’re trying to claim and which deadline applies.

1) If you mean a tax return

If you forgot to claim deductible expenses on a past return, you may still be able to fix it by filing an amended return for the correct year.

• In the U.S., that’s usually Form 1040-X for individual returns.
• For many refund claims, the general rule is within 3 years of filing the original return or 2 years after paying the tax, whichever is later.
• You generally can’t just add old receipts to a later year’s return if the expense belonged to an earlier year.

2) If you mean reimbursement from your employer

That depends on your company’s policy.

• Employers often have a deadline for submitting receipts, and the time limit varies by employer.
• If you’re late, the reimbursement outcome may depend on your employer’s policy and how the payment is handled for tax purposes.

What to do

• Check the receipt date and the applicable filing or reimbursement deadline.
• Look at your tax filing year or your employee handbook or policy.
• If you’re past the normal deadline, ask whether an amendment or a one-time exception is possible.

Bottom line: old receipts may still help, but you usually need to claim them through the correct year’s tax return or through your employer’s reimbursement process before the deadline.

Tax rules and company policies vary by jurisdiction, and exact deadlines can change, so verify with the official tax authority or your employer.