If you’re one of the many Americans who never received a tax refund from a previous year, there’s still time to get that money — but the clock is ticking.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently confirmed that over $1 billion in unclaimed tax refunds are still available from past tax years. Many people qualified for a refund but never filed their tax return — and if you’re one of them, you could still be eligible to get up to $1,400 back.
Why This IRS Refund Is Different from the 2024 Tax Season
This extra IRS payment is separate from your regular 2024 tax refund. It comes from previous years where millions of Americans didn’t file a return — even though they were eligible.
The IRS is giving people a final chance to claim that money, but the deadline is April 15, 2025.
So, if you didn’t file taxes for the year 2021, this could be your last chance to get that stimulus-style tax refund.
IRS Refund Deadline: Don’t Miss April 15, 2025
To claim your refund, you must file your 2021 tax return by April 15, 2025. After that date, you’ll lose the right to the money — and the refund will stay with the U.S. Treasury.
The average refund for this unclaimed round is around $781, but some individuals could receive up to $1,400, especially if they missed out on past Recovery Rebate Credits or stimulus checks.
How to Know If You’re Eligible for This IRS Refund
You might qualify if:
- You didn’t file a tax return in 2021
- You had earned income that year but weren’t required to file
- You may have qualified for stimulus checks but didn’t claim them
If you think you qualify, file your 2021 return now using IRS Free File or by contacting a tax preparer.
If you’re eligible, you don’t need to do anything else — once you file, the IRS will automatically send your refund through direct deposit or check.
Can You Receive This Refund While Getting Social Security?
Yes! This IRS refund does not affect your Social Security benefits. That means you can receive both payments in the same month without any issues, as long as you meet the refund criteria.
So, if you’re a retiree, disabled worker, or survivor receiving Social Security, you’re still eligible to claim this IRS refund — and it won’t reduce or delay your usual SSA payments.