These are the Americans who have one week to reclaim nearly $1,000 from the IRS – Some payments date back to 2021 and will not be re-granted

Who is eligible to claim the $993 IRS refund?

Right now, over 1.1 million Americans are sitting on unclaimed tax refunds from the 2021 tax year, and most of them do not even know it. According to the IRS, the average refund amount is about $993—but you have to act fast. If you did not file a 2021 tax return, you may be leaving that money on the table.

These refunds are available to people who:

• Earned income in 2021 but did not file a return
  
• Did not exceed income limits set by the IRS
  
• Have a valid Social Security number or taxpayer ID
  

In Pennsylvania alone, more than 50,000 people are owed refunds totaling over $52 million, with the average person due around $993. But this is not just about Pennsylvania—people across all 50 states are eligible.

When is the IRS deadline to claim these refunds?

You have until April 15, 2025, to file your 2021 tax return and claim any refund you may be owed. That gives you just one week to act. After that date, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury, and there is no way to get it back.

The IRS made it clear: “By law, taxpayers usually have three years to file and claim their tax refunds.” For 2021 returns, that three-year window closes on April 15, 2025.

How to claim your 2021 IRS tax refund

To claim your refund, you need to file your 2021 tax return—even if you missed the deadline in the past. Here is what you need to do:

1. Get your 2021 tax documents – This includes W-2s, 1099s, or any other records of income.
   
2. File your 2021 tax return – You can do this electronically or by mail.
   
3. Double-check your information – Make sure you include:
   
   • Your Social Security Number or taxpayer ID
     
   • Your correct filing status
     
   • The exact refund amount (if you are tracking it)
     

If you are not sure how to file for a past year, you can use the IRS Free File tool, or reach out to a tax professional for help.

Can you track the status of your refund?

Yes, once you submit your return, you can use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on the IRS website. To check your refund, make sure you know:

• Your Social Security Number or taxpayer ID
  
• Your filing status
  
• The exact refund amount
  

The IRS says most refunds are processed within 21 days, and 80% of people receive them via direct deposit.

What happens if you miss the deadline?

If you do not file by April 15, your refund will be forfeited permanently. That money becomes the property of the U.S. government, and there is no second chance.

The IRS warns against filing duplicate returns, as this will not speed up the process. Just make sure your documents are accurate, submit on time, and track your refund.

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