If you haven’t claimed your tax refund or stimulus check from 2021 yet, time is running out. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has confirmed that April 15, 2025, is the final date to file your return for fiscal year 2021 and get any money owed to you, including unclaimed stimulus payments from the pandemic period.
If you miss this deadline, you will lose the money forever, and the funds will be transferred to the U.S. Treasury. The IRS estimates that over 1.1 million people are yet to claim their share — which adds up to nearly $1 billion in total.
Let’s break down who is eligible, how to claim, and what documents are needed.
Why You Can Still Claim a 2021 Stimulus Check
Normally, the IRS gives taxpayers three years to claim refunds from a previous year. For the 2021 tax year, the original filing deadline was April 18, 2022, which means the claim window officially closes on April 18, 2025.
However, because of calendar adjustments, the practical deadline has been moved to April 15, 2025 — just a few hours from now. So if you haven’t filed your 2021 tax return yet, you must do it by April 15 to receive any refund or missing stimulus payment.
This also includes the Recovery Rebate Credit, which was connected to the 2021 stimulus program and could provide up to $1,400 per person.
Did the IRS Already Send the Stimulus?
In December 2024, the IRS began automatically sending money to people who didn’t claim the credit, with deposits continuing until January 2025. But this does not replace the need to file. If you haven’t officially submitted your tax return for 2021, you still need to do it to receive your refund.
Who Qualifies for the 2021 Tax Refund or Stimulus?
To be eligible, you must have been a U.S. citizen or qualified resident in 2021 and meet the following conditions:
- Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) under $75,000 if you were single
- Not claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return
- Filed a return (or file it now) for the 2021 tax year
Even people with low income who don’t normally file taxes can claim the refund using tools like the IRS Non-Filers Tool.
Keep in mind: If you owe the government money — such as unpaid taxes or child support — your refund may be reduced or withheld. Also, if you haven’t filed your 2022 or 2023 returns yet, the IRS might hold your refund until you do.
What Documents Do You Need?
To claim your 2021 refund or stimulus check, you’ll need to file your 2021 tax return. You should collect the following documents:
- W-2 forms from employers
- 1099 forms for other income (like freelance or investment earnings)
- 1098 or 5498 forms if applicable
If you don’t have these forms, you can request them from your employer or bank. The IRS also offers services like Get Transcript Online, where you can download your income records.
You can also request your transcript by phone at 800-908-9946.
If you’ve already filed a return but made a mistake, you can use Form 1040-X to amend it. But remember, you can only make up to three amendments per year for the last two tax years.
How Much Could You Get?
According to the IRS, the median refund for the 2021 tax year is $781. However, many people may qualify for more — especially if they didn’t receive their full stimulus payment in 2021.
The IRS strongly recommends filing electronically and choosing direct deposit to get your money faster. It may take up to six weeks for processing after your return is submitted.
April 15, 2025, is your absolute last chance to claim your 2021 tax refund or missing stimulus check. After this date, your right to claim these funds will be gone forever. If you were eligible in 2021 and didn’t file your return, this is the time to act.
Make sure you have all the documents ready, file electronically if possible, and check your eligibility through IRS.gov. Don’t let your refund slip away — it could be hundreds or even thousands of dollars.