If you do not follow this basic procedure, the federal agency will cancel your tax refund. The deadline for filing a tax return and receiving a matching payment for taxpayers who did not claim the Recovery Refund Credit (RRC) in 2021 is April 15, 2025, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
As part of the American Bailout Plan, a stimulus check of up to USD 1,400 per person was authorized for 2021. However, because they did not file their taxes that year, some people are still waiting to receive the benefit. To be eligible, you need to:
- Have been a US citizen or legal resident in 2021.
- Not have been a dependency on another taxpayer that year.
- Have a valid Social Security number before the filing date.
What are the requirements for claiming IRS refunds before they expire?
To be paid, taxpayers need to:
- Submit Form 1040 or 1040-SR by April 15, 2025, for the 2021 tax year.
- They can use Form 1040-X to file an updated return if they received less than they anticipated.
- To expedite the process, e-file via the IRS web portal.
- Use the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs to apply for free help.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reports that approximately one million taxpayers have yet to apply for this funding. The government encourages those who have not previously filed their taxes to check their eligibility for this and other tax breaks. Individuals who file their returns before the deadline may also qualify for the Recovery Refund Credit.
- Child Tax Credit: additional financial assistance for families with dependents.
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): benefit for low to moderate-income workers.
- Deduction for student loan interest and education loans.
How can Americans collect their IRS refunds this year?
Taxpayers can use the IRS’s online tools to confirm their eligibility and check the status of their refund. You can track your payments in real time using the “Where’s My Refund?” option.
It is worth noting that if the taxpayer is eligible for a refund, there is no penalty for filing a late return. This IRS online tool displays the status of your IRS refunds, which may be marked as Received or Approved. The refund has been processed and is ready for issue.
Once sent, it could take 5 days or several weeks for your bank account to be updated or your check to arrive in the mail. The procedure ensures a smooth refund process.
Please be aware that if your return requires revisions or additional inspection, your refund may not be processed immediately. We will notify you if we require additional information to process your return.
What information is available on the IRS online tool?
This online tool enables taxpayers to check the status of their IRS refunds within 24 hours of e-filing a current-year return, 3-4 days after e-filing a prior-year return, and 4 weeks after filing a paper return. Where’s my refund? After processing and approving the refund, the tracker displays a specific refund date and progress through three stages:
- Return Received
- Refund Approved
- Refund Sent
Finally, remember that to use this online tool, you must enter your filing status, Social Security number or individual taxpayer ID number (ITIN), and the exact total dollar amount of your anticipated return.
What information is not available on the “Where is my refund?” tool?
Among the information that is not available on this IRS online tool are the things related to amended tax returns and business tax return information. Below you can find more details about these two categories:
- Amended tax returns: Where’s My Refund does not have refund information for Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Utilize Where Am I Amending My Return? to find out how your updated return is progressing.
- Business tax return information: For information about refunds for federal tax returns other than Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, contact 800-829-4933, toll-free. For international calls, dial 267-941-1000. Telephone: 800-829-4059.
