As many as a million Americans may soon lose their opportunity to collect up to $1,400 in federal stimulus funds if they fail to act before an impending deadline.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has set April 15, 2025, as the deadline for taxpayers to file their 2021 tax returns to claim any outstanding amounts from the third round of Economic Impact Payments, widely known as stimulus checks. After this date, any unclaimed funds will revert to the U.S. Treasury and be permanently forfeited.
The Timeframe for Claiming a 2021 Refund
The IRS allows a three-year period for taxpayers to file and obtain refunds, including refundable tax credits and stimulus payments. Since the third round of checks is linked to 2021 tax returns, this opportunity will close permanently on April 15, 2025. This deadline applies to the stimulus payment as well as any other refunds you may have been entitled to from that year, including refundable tax credits.
More than one million Americans might still qualify for these funds—but only if they complete the required paperwork in time.
Consequences of Missing the Deadline
The repercussions of failing to meet the deadline are severe: you will lose the funds entirely. If you do not file your 2021 tax return by April 15, you will be unable to claim the $1,400 stimulus or any refund you could have received during that year.
The IRS states that unclaimed refunds—including stimulus payments requested through the Recovery Rebate Credit—become the property of the U.S. Treasury once the statutory deadline passes.
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Who is Impacted and Why It Matters
The individuals most likely to miss out are low-income people who were not required to file taxes in 2021 and may not understand that they need to submit a return to claim their stimulus funds.
Additionally, some may have been unaware of their eligibility or might have assumed they received the complete amount when they did not. Anyone who missed the entire payment or received only a partial amount must file a 2021 return to claim the difference through the Recovery Rebate Credit.
Can You Still Receive Your Refund After the Deadline?
Once April 15, 2025, passes, the IRS will cease to issue refunds for the 2021 tax year. There are no standard extensions or grace periods for this particular deadline. However, some limited exceptions may exist, including:
- Military personnel deployed in combat zones may receive additional time.
- Individuals facing IRS processing errors or disputes might still have options.
- In rare instances, legislative changes could extend the filing window.
What to Do Now If You Think You Missed It
If you’re uncertain whether you received your full stimulus payment—or if you didn’t file taxes in 2021—you should promptly take action to file a return.
If eligible, you can still file electronically using the IRS Free File program. Alternatively, you may submit a paper return by mail. Regardless, your return must be filed by the April 15 deadline.
What If You’re Owed More Than Just a Refund?
Missing the deadline has broader implications than just your stimulus payment. Numerous taxpayers may also qualify for refundable credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit (CTC). These credits can lead to substantial refunds—often worth thousands of dollars—and they are also contingent on your 2021 tax return. Failing to file equates to forfeiting all of these benefits.
How to Prevent Missing Future Tax Deadlines
To avoid similar situations in the future:
- Establish yearly reminders for tax filing well before April 15.
- Utilize IRS Free File resources or consult a tax professional.
- Review your eligibility each year for credits like the EITC or CTC.
- Maintain records of all communications and transactions with the IRS.
Time is of the essence to secure what could be one of the final benefits from the federal COVID-19 relief initiatives. If you suspect you are entitled to a 2021 stimulus check or missed other refundable credits, filing a 2021 tax return before April 15, 2025, is your last chance.
