The IRS has warned that more than 1.1 million taxpayers have not yet claimed their refunds for fiscal year 2021. The cumulative total exceeds $1 billion. The average refund per person is $781 and includes benefits such as the Recovery Rebate Credit.
People who do not file their return before April 15, 2025 will lose the right to receive these funds, which will be transferred to the United States Treasury.
It’s time to act: claim your IRS refund now, or lose it forever
Although the entity distributed automatic payments of $2.4 billion in December 2024 to those who had already filed returns, those who skipped the process must act before the deadline. The process requires completing Form 1040 for 2021, even if the income was zero or minimal, since the credit is refundable.
The claim limit is based on US tax regulations, which allow a period of three years from the original filing date. Experts emphasize that, after April 15, there will be no extensions. Unclaimed funds will benefit the national treasury, as established in the Internal Revenue Code.
To speed up the process, the IRS recommends creating an online account (/payments/online-account-for-individuals) and checking the status of previous payments. Those who need documents such as income transcripts can request them using Form 4506-T (/forms-pubs/about-form-4506-t) or by calling 800-908-9946. The 2021 forms are available online (/forms-instructions) or by phone (800-TAX-FORM).
Recovery Rebate Credit Details
The Recovery Rebate Credit compensates those who did not receive Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) during the pandemic. In 2021, the maximum amount was $1,400 per adult, $2,800 for couples and an additional $1,400 for each dependent, reaching up to $5,600 for families of four.
These funds do not affect eligibility for programs like SNAP or SSI, making them a vital resource for vulnerable groups.
According to official data, the IRS identified that 1 million taxpayers received automatic payments in January 2025 after correcting omissions in their returns. However, those who did not submit any documents in 2021 must do so now. The delay in collecting receipts such as W-2 or 1099 could complicate the process, the entity warns.
In addition to the digital platform, the IRS offers telephone support and access to low-income tax clinics. The Key Details Summary Table, published by the agency, specifies required amounts, deadlines, and forms. Featured resources include:
- Verification of stimulus payments through online accounts.
- Downloading forms in /forms-instructions.
- Request salary transcripts via /individuals/get-transcript.
Before finishing, we once again emphasize the urgency of the deadline, to prevent the money from being lost forever. You have a few hours left, so it’s time to carry out the processes so that the funds do not become the property of the United States Treasury.