If a million Americans do not act before a fast-approaching deadline, they will lose their chance to claim up to $1,400 in federal stimulus money.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has given taxpayers until April 15, 2025 to file a 2021 tax return and claim any remaining funds from the third round of Economic Impact Payments, also known as stimulus checks. After that, any unclaimed funds will be turned over to the United States Treasury and permanently lost.
How Much Time You Have to Claim a 2021 Refund
The IRS gives taxpayers a three-year window to file and claim refunds, including refundable tax credits and stimulus payments. Since the third round of stimulus checks was tied to 2021 tax returns, the window will close permanently on April 15, 2025.
This includes the stimulus payment and any other refunds you may be due from that year, such as refundable tax credits.
Over a million Americans may still be eligible for this money—but only if they submit the required paperwork on time.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
Missing the deadline has serious consequences: you will lose all of your money. If you do not file your 2021 tax return by April 15, you will be unable to claim the $1,400 stimulus or any refunds that may have been due that year.
According to the IRS, once the statutory deadline has passed, any unclaimed refunds, including stimulus payments claimed through the Recovery Rebate Credit, become the property of the United States Treasury.
Who’s Affected and Why It Matters
Lower-income individuals are most at risk of missing out, as they were not required to file taxes in 2021 and may be unaware that they need to file a return to claim their stimulus.
Others may have been unaware they were eligible or believed they had received the full amount when they did not. Anyone who missed the full payment or received a partial payment must file a 2021 return to claim the difference under the Recovery Rebate Credit.
Can You Still Get Your Refund After the Deadline?
Once the April 15, 2025 deadline passes, the IRS will no longer issue refunds for the 2021 tax year. There are no routine extensions or grace periods for this particular deadline. However, a few exceptions exist, including:
- Military personnel serving in combat zones may get extra time.
- People with IRS processing errors or disputes might still have options.
- In rare cases, legislative changes could extend the window
What to Do Right Now If You Think You Missed It
If you are unsure whether you received your full stimulus check or did not file taxes in 2021, you should file a return right away.
If you qualify, you can still file this electronically using the IRS Free File program. Alternatively, you can mail a paper return. In either case, it must be filed by the April 15 deadline.
What If You’re Owed More Than Just a Refund?
Missing the deadline affects more than just your stimulus payment. Many taxpayers are also eligible for refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC). These credits, which are also tied to your 2021 tax return, can result in substantial refunds—often in the thousands of dollars. Failure to file means forfeiting everything.
How to Avoid Missing Future Tax Deadlines
To prevent similar issues in the future:
- Set yearly tax reminders well before April 15.
- Use IRS Free File tools or consult a tax preparer.
- Check your eligibility each year for credits like the EITC or the CTC.
- Keep records of all correspondence and payments from the IRS.
Time is running out to claim what could be one of the federal COVID-19 relief programs’ final benefits. If you believe you are owed a 2021 stimulus check or have missed out on other refundable credits, filing a 2021 tax return by April 15, 2025 is your last chance.
