If you didn’t get your stimulus check or tax refund from 2021, the IRS has set a final date for you to act. You must file your 2021 tax return by April 15, 2025 to claim any unclaimed money from the COVID-19 pandemic era. After this date, the government will keep the funds, and you won’t be able to recover them.
What Is the Deadline to Claim the 2021 Tax Refund?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says that April 15, 2025, is the last day to file a tax return for the year 2021 and claim any refund you are owed, including stimulus payments. This deadline cannot be extended, so it’s important to take action before that date.
Around 1.1 million people across the United States still haven’t claimed their 2021 refunds. The total amount waiting to be collected is more than $1 billion. If people don’t claim this money, it will go to the U.S. Treasury and become government property.
Who Is Eligible for the 2021 Refund?
You may be eligible to claim money if you:
- Didn’t file a tax return in 2021.
- Earned income but were not required to file taxes due to low income.
- Missed claiming stimulus checks, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), or the Child Tax Credit.
This includes many low-income individuals, part-time workers, and those who moved or changed jobs during the pandemic. In fact, the IRS has said many people didn’t file in 2021 simply because they didn’t know they were eligible for a refund.
How to Claim Your 2021 Refund or Stimulus Check
To get your money, you need to file your 2021 tax return before the April 15, 2025 deadline. Here’s how to prepare:
- Gather all 2021 tax documents such as W-2, 1099, or 1098 forms.
- If you don’t have these, you can request them from past employers or use the “Get Transcript Online” tool on the IRS website.
- File your tax return using the correct 2021 forms.
- You can file electronically or through mail, but make sure it’s submitted before April 15.
Even if you’re not owed a refund, filing your return can help avoid penalties, audits, or other issues in the future.
What Happens If You Miss the April 15, 2025 Deadline?
If you don’t file by April 15, 2025, you lose your right to claim any 2021 refund permanently. According to U.S. tax law, taxpayers have three years to claim a refund. After that time, the unclaimed money is turned over to the U.S. Treasury and can no longer be requested.
This rule mainly affects people who didn’t know about their eligibility or made errors when filing. Tax groups and community organizations are now urging people to check if they qualify before the deadline passes.