COVID Tax Returns: Are you eligible to get them and what is the deadline to apply for them?

July 6, 2026 - 17:52

Millions of Americans may still be owed money from COVID-era tax credits, but claiming those funds requires action before a looming deadline. The Internal Revenue Service has been notifying taxpayers who missed out on the Recovery Rebate Credit, a benefit tied to the 2021 stimulus payments. If you did not receive the full amount of the third Economic Impact Payment or the associated credit, you might be eligible for a refund.

The catch is that you must file a 2021 tax return if you have not done so already. The IRS estimates that over one million people overlooked this credit and could collectively recover more than one billion dollars. The deadline to file that return and claim the money is April 15, 2025. After that date, any unclaimed funds will be forfeited.

Eligibility is not automatic. Even if you received a letter from the IRS suggesting you may qualify, you still need to submit the proper forms. The credit is worth up to 1,400 dollars per person, meaning a family of four could receive over five thousand dollars. People with low or no income in 2021 are also eligible, as the credit is partially refundable.

Tax experts recommend checking your 2021 account transcripts online or reviewing any IRS notices you received. If you already filed a 2021 return but did not claim the credit, you can file an amended return using Form 1040-X. Time is running short, and the process requires careful attention to detail. For those who missed the original payments, this is likely the final chance to collect what is owed.