Americans who failed to file a 2021 tax return by May 17, 2025, have permanently lost access to any unclaimed stimulus funds or refunds tied to that tax year. The deadline marked the final opportunity to recover federal stimulus payments issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, including missed Economic Impact Payments (EIPs).
The IRS is now reclaiming all remaining unclaimed stimulus-related money from 2021.
What money was forfeited?
Many taxpayers missed out on stimulus payments they never received in 2021. These included:
- Third-round stimulus checks (up to $1,400 per person)
- Recovery Rebate Credits for those who didn’t get their full EIP
- Tax refunds from withholdings or refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC)
According to the IRS, more than $1 billion in refunds and stimulus-related payments were left unclaimed before the deadline.
Why the deadline mattered
Federal law gives taxpayers three years to file a return and claim any refund or credit. After that, the IRS legally reclaims the funds. These forfeited payments are returned to the U.S. Treasury and are no longer available to the taxpayer — even if the refund or stimulus was owed.
Can you still recover the money?
No. If you did not file a 2021 return by May 17, 2025, you can no longer claim any stimulus payments or tax refunds for that year.
However, you should still file the return if:
- You owe taxes or need to correct your records
- You need to show tax compliance for financial aid, loans, or benefit programs
- You want to avoid potential IRS enforcement actions
The IRS may waive some penalties for late filers, but not the loss of a refund or credit.
What if you were eligible but didn’t know?
Unfortunately, even if you qualified for a stimulus payment or credit, the IRS will not make exceptions after the three-year window closes. Outreach efforts and filing reminders began in 2022, but many low-income households still didn’t file — often because they weren’t required to.
What happens next?
The IRS continues to urge taxpayers to file future returns on time to avoid losing benefits. Anyone eligible for a 2024 refund still has until April 15, 2028 to claim it.
For help filing past returns or resolving issues, visit irs.gov or speak with a tax professional.
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