The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has confirmed that tomorrow, April 15, 2025, is the last day for eligible taxpayers to claim their 2021 tax refunds and unreceived stimulus payments. If you miss this deadline, you will lose the opportunity to claim these funds, as the IRS applies a three-year limit for filing refunds.
For those who have not yet requested their 2021 tax refunds or Recovery Rebate Credit, the IRS is urging you to act immediately, as $1 billion remains unclaimed by over 1.1 million taxpayers. After tomorrow, these funds will revert to the U.S. Treasury, and there will be no way to access them.
Why Can You Still Claim a 2021 Stimulus Payment Check?
Under IRS rules, taxpayers are generally allowed to claim refunds for up to three years after the original filing deadline. The 2021 tax return had a due date of April 18, 2022, meaning the typical deadline for requesting refunds would have been April 18, 2025.
However, the IRS has set April 15, 2025 as the final cutoff for claiming stimulus payments from 2021. After this date, you will no longer be able to claim the funds.
This is particularly important for those who are eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit, which is tied to the 2021 stimulus payments. The IRS has warned taxpayers, especially non-filers or those who did not receive the full payment, that if they do not file their return by the deadline, they will lose the credit forever.
The Recovery Rebate Credit provides up to $1,400 per person and was part of the pandemic economic relief efforts.
In December 2024, the IRS began issuing automatic payments to about 1 million taxpayers who had not yet claimed the credit, with deposits continuing until January 2025. However, if you did not receive your payment and haven’t filed a return, you must do so before tomorrow to claim the credit.
Who Qualifies to Receive the 2021 Stimulus Payment?
To be eligible for the 2021 stimulus payment and Recovery Rebate Credit, taxpayers must meet specific criteria:
- U.S. citizens or qualified residents in 2021.
- Income thresholds — for example, single filers must have an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of less than $75,000.
- Not claimed as a dependent on another tax return.
- Non-filers who do not typically file taxes can use the IRS Non-Filers Tool to claim the payment.
It’s also important to note that refunds may be withheld if there are outstanding debts, such as unpaid back taxes or child support. Additionally, if you have not filed your 2022 or 2023 returns, the IRS will block your 2021 refund until your filing situation is up to date.
Required Documents to Claim Your Payment
To claim your 2021 tax refund and stimulus payment, the IRS recommends filing your return electronically for faster processing. You should also opt for Direct Deposit to receive your payment quickly. The necessary documents to file your return include:
- W-2 forms (from employers)
- 1098, 1099, or 5498 forms (from financial institutions)
If you need to correct previous returns, use Form 1040-X, which allows for up to three amendments annually for the previous two years.
For those needing transcripts of their income records, you can access them online through the IRS Get Transcript Online Tool or request them by mail by calling 800-908-9946.
What’s the Average Refund for 2021?
The median refund for the 2021 tax year is $781, according to the IRS. If you are eligible for a refund and claim it before the deadline, you can expect to receive your funds in approximately six weeks, depending on processing time.