🚨 Last Chance to Claim Your Pandemic Stimulus Checks: IRS Deadline Approaching

By Rakibul Hasan | March 19, 2025

Time is running out for millions of Americans to claim their share of $1 billion in unclaimed tax refunds, including pandemic-era stimulus payments. The IRS has set a hard deadline of April 15, 2025, for taxpayers to file their 2021 returns and secure money owed to them. Here’s what you need to know to avoid leaving cash on the table.

💸 The $1 Billion Question: Who’s Eligible?

Between March 2020 and March 2021, the federal government distributed three rounds of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs):

1. CARES Act (March 2020): Up to $1,200peradult+$500 per child.

2. Consolidated Appropriations Act (December 2020): $600 per person (adults and children).

3. American Rescue Plan (March 2021): $1,400 per person.

Most eligible households received these payments automatically. However, 1.1 million taxpayers never claimed their Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC)—a refundable tax credit for those who missed stimulus checks.

Who needs to act?

• Non-filers in 2021 (even if income was $0).

• Taxpayers who left the RRC field blank or entered “$0” by mistake.

• Parents of newborns in 2021 (eligible for child credits).

📅 April 15 Deadline: How to Claim Your Money

1. Gather Documents:

   • W-2s, 1099s: Request duplicates from employers or banks.

   • IRS Transcripts: Use Form 4506-T for wage/income records (warning: delays possible).

2. File Your 2021 Tax Return:

   • Online: Use IRS Free File for incomes ≤ $73,000.

   • Mail: Paper forms accepted but process slower.

3. Calculate Your RRC:

   • Check EIP amounts via IRS Online Account → “Tax Records.”

   • Use IRS guidelines for Recovery Rebate Credit.

4. Track Your Refund:

   • Online Tool: Updates within 24 hours of e-filing.

   • Paper Filers: Allow 4+ weeks for status updates.

⚠️ Caution: Refunds may be withheld for unpaid taxes, child support, or student loans.

📉 Why This Tax Season Is a Nightmare

The IRS is grappling with severe staffing cuts, complicating an already chaotic tax season:

• 6,000+ Jobs Cut: Probationary employees laid off in Trump administration downsizing.

• Taxpayer Advocate Service: Facing 20% staff reductions, weakening support for disputes.

• Phone Delays: Hold times exceed 30 minutes; IRS urges using online resources first.

“Underfunded and overburdened, the IRS is struggling to meet taxpayer needs,” NPR reported.

💡 Key Tips to Navigate the Deadline

• Start Now: Gather 2021 documents ASAP. Delays risk missing the cutoff.

• E-File: Faster processing vs. paper returns.

• Check for IRS Letters: Some taxpayers received notices about unclaimed RRC (up to $1,400).

• Beware Scams: The IRS never contacts taxpayers via email/text about refunds.

🗓️ Timeline & Next Steps

• April 15, 2025: Absolute deadline for 2021 filings.

• Late January 2025: IRS began mailing corrections to taxpayers who underclaimed RRC.

• Post-Deadline: Unclaimed funds go to the U.S. Treasury.

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