Americans Who Skipped 2021 Taxes May Lose Out on Recovery Rebate and COVID Stimulus Checks

If you’ve been putting off filing your 2021 federal tax return, you could be missing out on more than just a tax refund—you might also be leaving COVID-era stimulus money on the table.

According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), millions of Americans are still eligible to receive the Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC)—worth up to $1,400 per person—but only if they submit their 2021 tax return by April 15, 2025.

After this date, the chance to claim that money—and any other unclaimed refunds—expires permanently.

April 15, 2025: Your Final Chance

The IRS has confirmed that the three-year window to claim a refund for the 2021 tax year closes on April 15, 2025. After this deadline, any unclaimed funds will become the property of the U.S. Treasury.

“People may not realize they’re still eligible for a stimulus check or tax refund,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “But the time to act is running out.”

What You Could Be Missing

If you didn’t file your 2021 return, here’s what you might still be eligible to receive:

1. Recovery Rebate Credit (Third Stimulus Payment)

The RRC was issued as part of the third round of Economic Impact Payments in 2021. Eligible individuals who didn’t receive the full amount—or any payment at all—can claim it by filing their 2021 return.

• Worth up to $1,400 per person, including dependents.
• Income eligibility phases out above:
  • $75,000 for single filers
  • $150,000 for married couples filing jointly
  • $112,500 for heads of household

2. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

You may also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, worth up to $6,728 depending on your income and family size.

• Available to low-to-moderate income earners.
• You must file a tax return to receive it.

3. Unclaimed Tax Refunds

The IRS reports that over 1.1 million Americans may be owed refunds for 2021, with a median refund of $781.

“A lot of that money could help families pay for essentials like rent, food, and healthcare,” said an IRS spokesperson.

How to Claim Your 2021 Refund or Stimulus

1. File Your 2021 Tax Return
   Use Form 1040 and include any missing stimulus claims under the Recovery Rebate Credit section.
   Download IRS Form 1040 (2021) →
2. Claim the RRC and EITC
   If applicable, ensure you fill out these credits accurately to receive the full amount.
3. Use Free Filing Help If Needed
   If your income was below $73,000 in 2021, you can use IRS Free File.
4. Track Your Refund
   Use the Where’s My Refund? tool to monitor your refund status after filing.

Important Caveats

• The IRS will not issue a 2021 refund if you didn’t file by the April 15, 2025, deadline.
• If you’ve already filed 2022 or 2023 returns and didn’t get the credit, you still need to file 2021 separately to be eligible.
• You can also file a request for extension until October 15, 2025, using Form 4868.

How You’ll Get Paid

• Direct Deposit: If bank info is provided.
• Paper Check: Mailed to your address on the return.
• Prepaid Debit Card: In some rare cases, used by IRS.

Don’t Miss Out

If you or someone you know hasn’t filed a 2021 tax return, act now to avoid losing out on hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars in unclaimed COVID relief and refunds.

For help with filing or credit eligibility, contact a certified tax professional or visit the official IRS site at www.irs.gov.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.