If you didn’t file your 2021 tax return by April 15, 2025, you may have just missed out on up to $1,400 — money that was rightfully yours.
The IRS issued its final warning earlier this month, urging people who never received their full third-round stimulus payment — or didn’t get it at all — to file a 2021 tax return before the deadline. The payment, part of the Recovery Rebate Credit, was available to eligible Americans as part of the government’s COVID-19 economic relief plan.
But now, that window has officially closed.
Wait, There Was Still Stimulus Money Left?
Yes — and a lot of it. The IRS estimates more than 1.1 million people never claimed their 2021 refund, and that includes the third stimulus check. In total, over $1 billion in unclaimed refunds was left sitting in the federal government’s pocket, much of it tied directly to missed stimulus payments.
“We want taxpayers to claim these refunds, but time is running out,” IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement earlier this month. “By law, this money will become property of the U.S. Treasury if not claimed in time.”
Who Was Eligible?
The 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit was designed to help people who didn’t get the full $1,400 stimulus check (or any check at all) that was issued in 2021. That could be because their income dropped in 2021, they had a child that year, or they were missed entirely during the original payment rollout.
To qualify, you had to:
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Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien in 2021
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Have a Social Security number
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Not be claimed as a dependent by someone else
The full $1,400 credit applied to individuals earning up to $75,000 or married couples earning up to $150,000. If you made more than that, the payment was reduced or phased out entirely.
Filing Late? Here’s What You Should Know
Even though the deadline was April 15, there’s still a small chance some people might get help. For example, if you live in an area that was declared a federal disaster zone, you may have received an automatic filing extension. If you think you might qualify for special circumstances, it’s worth checking with a tax professional.
But for most people, unfortunately, the deadline means the opportunity is officially gone. There’s no penalty for filing a late return if you’re owed a refund — but you must file it within three years of the original tax year. For 2021, that clock just ran out.
Why Didn’t People File?
There are a lot of reasons people miss out on tax refunds like this. Some may not have realized they needed to file a return at all — especially if they don’t normally owe taxes or don’t earn much income. Others might have been overwhelmed by the paperwork or unsure whether they qualified.
Still, the IRS tried to get the word out. Over the past year, they’ve launched public awareness campaigns and sent mailers reminding people to check their eligibility and file their returns.
What Happens to the Money Now?
If the refund isn’t claimed within three years of the tax year it’s tied to, the money goes back to the U.S. Treasury. It doesn’t roll over or get reissued — it’s simply gone.
And while that may be frustrating to hear, the IRS stresses the importance of staying on top of filing deadlines, even if you don’t owe money.
Bottom Line
If you didn’t file your 2021 tax return by April 15 this year, you likely missed out on a stimulus payment worth up to $1,400 — and potentially a larger refund. While there are some narrow exceptions, for most people, the window has closed for good.
Still unsure? You can visit IRS.gov to check your filing history or connect with a tax expert to see if there’s anything you can do. It might be too late for 2021, but staying ahead now could help you avoid missing out on future benefits.
