If you haven’t filed your 2021 tax return, you may be missing out on a big payday. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), more than 1 million people across the United States still haven’t filed their taxes for that year—and there’s over $1 billion in unclaimed tax refunds just waiting to be claimed.
That means, on average, each person could get around $781. Think of it like finding a hidden ₹65,000 in your old jeans—but legally and with paperwork.
The deadline to claim this money? April 15, 2025. After that, the unclaimed money goes to the U.S. Treasury Department. So if you don’t act in time, the money won’t disappear, but it won’t be yours anymore either.
How to Claim Your 2021 Tax Refund Before Time Runs Out
If you didn’t file your 2021 tax return, don’t panic. The process is straightforward—but you’ll need to do it the old-school way.
- Download Form 1040 for 2021 from the official IRS website.
- Print, fill out, and sign the form manually.
- Send the completed form via traditional mail to the IRS.
- Don’t forget to keep copies of everything—just in case!
You cannot e-file tax returns for 2021, so you’ll have to go the postal route.
Bonus: You Could Get Even More Than You Think
Besides your usual refund, there are two extra tax credits that could boost your refund:
1. Recovery Rebate Credit (Pandemic Stimulus Payments)
If you did not receive your COVID stimulus check in 2021, this credit allows you to claim it now.
2. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
This is designed for low to moderate-income workers, especially those with children. It can add up to $6,728 to your refund. Yes, that much.
Make sure you check if you qualify for both—because that refund could end up being a lot more than $781.
One Important Catch: File 2022 and 2023 Taxes Too
Here’s a very important condition: the IRS may hold back your 2021 refund if you haven’t filed your 2022 and 2023 returns. Even though you’re claiming 2021 money, they want to make sure you don’t owe taxes for the newer years.
So, before you go after that forgotten refund, make sure your recent filings are up to date.
Don’t Have Your Old Documents? Here’s What to Do
To file your 2021 return, you’ll need documents like:
If you can’t find your documents, don’t worry. You can:
- Contact your employer or income sources
- Request a free tax transcript from the IRS website
The IRS makes it fairly simple to track down old records if you need them.