Are You Missing Out on Unclaimed 2021 Stimulus Payments?

Despite most Covid-era tax incentives ending, over one million Americans can still claim stimulus payments, as reported by the IRS. A recent reminder highlights that eligible individuals may still claim the Recovery Rebate Credit, which is valued at up to $1,400, provided they didn’t file a federal return in 2021.

The IRS is actively processing payments for qualifying taxpayers; however, the window to claim credits or refunds from 2021 closes on April 15, 2025.

Payments are distributed either through paper checks or direct deposit utilizing bank details from 2023 tax filings.

These disbursed funds comprise the last set of pandemic-era stimulus checks. The payment amount is determined by your adjusted gross income (AGI), with higher income levels witnessing a gradual phase-out.

Single filers are granted the full $1,400 if their 2021 AGI didn’t exceed $75,000, with the credit completely phasing out at $80,000.
Married couples filing jointly have an allowance of $2,800 if their combined 2021 AGI was $150,000 or lower, with the credit disappearing at a $160,000 income level.
Dependents could receive $1,400 in 2021, irrespective of age, subject to the same phase-out conditions.

The IRS standardly permits refund or credit claims within a three-year deadline, thereby making Tax Day 2025 the final opportunity for any due payments. This applies to those eligible for the credit, whether from leaving the field empty or from not having filed a tax return yet.

The IRS notes that over 1.1 million Americans have left unclaimed refunds from the 2021 tax year, totaling more than $1 billion. Especially prominent among are taxpayers who have not submitted their Form 1040s for the year, with the deadline soon approaching.

Excluding the Recovery Rebate Credit, the median refund for non-filers from 2021 stands at around $781. Numerous lower- and moderate-income workers might also be overlooking the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which could provide up to $6,728 for qualifying families.

Tax Refund FAQs

What is the deadline to claim a refund from the 2021 tax year?

April 15, 2025, marks the cut-off to obtain any credits or refunds from the 2021 tax year, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2024 tax year.

Who can still claim the Recovery Rebate Credit?

The Recovery Rebate Credit, a refundable credit for individuals who missed stimulus payments during the pandemic, remains available. The IRS estimates more than a million Americans—those who never filed a 2021 return—are still eligible for this credit, worth up to $1,400, if they submit their 2021 return by April 15, 2025.