Did you know that you might be owed money by the US government and not even know it? Over $1.1 billion in unclaimed stimulus checks from 2021 are still sitting with the IRS, and time is running out to claim them. These payments were part of the pandemic relief packages sent out during the COVID-19 crisis, and if you didn’t file your taxes for 2021, you could still be eligible to receive them.
Let’s break it down and see how you can check if you’re one of the one million people who still have money waiting.
What Are These Unclaimed Payments?
The money comes from the third round of stimulus checks that were issued in March 2021, under the American Rescue Plan. The payments included:
$1,400 for each eligible adult
$1,400 for each eligible child or dependent
These payments were meant to support people affected by the pandemic, especially those who lost jobs or income. While most people received this money, the IRS found that nearly 1 million taxpayers did not claim it properly on their 2021 tax returns.
Some people left the recovery rebate credit field blank, and others marked it as $0 by mistake. There were also many people who didn’t file taxes at all that year, possibly because they had little or no income. If that sounds like you, there’s still a chance to get your payment—but only if you act before the April 15, 2025 deadline.
Who Can Still Claim This Stimulus Payment?
You may qualify if:
You didn’t receive the full $1,400 stimulus check in 2021
You didn’t file your 2021 tax return
You made an error while claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 return
If you meet these conditions, you can still claim your payment by filing a late 2021 tax return. But remember, you must file before April 15, or the money goes to the Federal Reserve and cannot be recovered later.
What You Need to Do Before April 15
To claim your unclaimed stimulus money, the IRS recommends the following steps:
Log in or create an account on the official IRS website.
Request any missing tax documents from your employer or bank.
If needed, ask the IRS for a tax transcript or your previous returns.
File your 2021 tax return as soon as possible.
Keep in mind: If you haven’t filed your 2022 or 2023 tax returns, your refund may be delayed or used to pay off any debts you owe to the government.
How to Track Your Refund
You can easily check the status of your refund online:
For new electronic returns: check 24 hours later
For older e-returns: check after 3–4 days
For paper-filed returns: check after 4 weeks
Just visit the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on the IRS website or use the IRS2Go app.
Why This Tax Season Has Been Tough
This tax season has been a bit complicated due to major budget cuts and staff reductions at the IRS. In February 2025, over 6,000 IRS workers were laid off following government spending cuts ordered by former President Donald Trump and DOGE Secretary Elon Musk.
Even though the Inflation Reduction Act had planned to improve the IRS, later changes in the budget slowed those improvements. As a result, the IRS is working with fewer people and more pressure.
So, if you believe you’re eligible for the unclaimed 2021 stimulus check, don’t wait. File now and claim what’s rightfully yours before the April 15 deadline.
Time is ticking! If you didn’t get your full $1,400 stimulus payment back in 2021, you may still have a chance to claim it—but only if you act before April 15, 2025. With over $1.1 billion still unclaimed, don’t miss this last chance to receive your money.
Filing your 2021 tax return might take a bit of time, but it’s worth it. Take action now and make sure your money doesn’t end up in the Federal Reserve forever.