Did you know the IRS might owe you money from your 2021 taxes? And if you don’t act fast, you could lose it forever. This isn’t boring tax talk — this is real money, possibly $781 or more just waiting for you to claim it.
The IRS currently holds over $1 billion in unclaimed tax refunds from the 2021 tax year. If you didn’t file your tax return in 2021, there’s a good chance some of that cash could be yours. But the deadline is coming fast — you have until April 15, 2025 to file your 2021 return and claim the money.
After that date, the money goes straight to the U.S. Treasury — and you’ll never get it back.
How to Claim Your 2021 Tax Refund Before Time Runs Out
Here’s what you need to do:
- Find your tax documents from 2021
- Check if you already filed a return that year
- If you didn’t, file it now — don’t wait
- You must submit your return before April 15, 2025
The IRS has no extensions for this deadline. Once the date passes, your refund is gone for good. If you’re confused about where to start, use the tools on the IRS website or talk to a tax professional who can help you.
You Could Also Be Missing Out on Stimulus Checks!
This isn’t just about your regular tax refund. If you didn’t get the third stimulus payment from 2021 — the one worth $1,400 per person — you can still claim it through the Recovery Rebate Credit.
Many people never received their COVID-19 stimulus checks from the Trump administration, either because they didn’t file taxes or weren’t aware they were eligible. If this sounds like you, act now.
How to Claim the $1,400 Stimulus Check
If you didn’t get the payment, or got less than you should have, you can still claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 tax return. The deadline is the same — April 15, 2025.
You qualify if:
- You didn’t file taxes in 2021
- Or, you filed but didn’t claim the credit
Check the IRS website to confirm your eligibility, or call their support team if you’re unsure.
What About the $5,000 DOGE Stimulus Checks?
There’s been a lot of buzz online about $5,000 stimulus checks being planned under something called DOGE — short for Department of Government Efficiency.
The idea was introduced by Donald Trump, and further explained by James Fishback of Azoria Partners, who suggested that if DOGE could save $2 billion in government spending, 20% of that could go directly to American families — around $5,000 per household.
Sounds great, right?
Here’s the truth:
- It’s only a proposal, not a real program
- There’s no law, no date, and no official confirmation
- Some even question if DOGE is a real department
- A website exists (mydogedividend.com), but there’s no official IRS or government backing yet
So, while it’s an interesting idea, it’s not something you can claim right now. We’ll keep an eye on this story and let you know if anything changes.