Millions of dollars in unclaimed federal stimulus payments from 2021 became the property of the U.S. Treasury after the primary deadline to file for the funds passed on April 15, 2025. Taxpayers had a three-year window to claim the $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit by filing their 2021 income tax return, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
The $1,400 payment was the third and final broad economic impact payment issued during the pandemic. It is estimated that over one million people across the United States were eligible for this money but did not file the required tax return by the deadline. Funds not claimed by the April 15 cutoff are permanently forfeited.
Taxpayers who missed the deadline will find no extensions or appeals available to recover these specific funds. The IRS has stated this deadline is final for most individuals who were due the payment.
However, a limited opportunity remains for U.S. citizens living abroad. U.S. expats may still be able to claim the $1,400 stimulus payment until June 16, 2025. This is possible by becoming compliant with U.S. tax obligations through the IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures, a program designed to allow expats to file back taxes without penalties under certain conditions.
The $1,400 payment can offset the cost of becoming compliant, according to David Rabinowicz, writing in The Jerusalem Post, and Olivier Wagner, founder of 1040 Abroad, an expat tax firm. Wagner stated the payment "often covers much of the cost of catching up" for those filing through the streamlined program.
While past payments expire, discussions about future stimulus measures surfaced recently. In February, President Donald Trump indicated he would consider a plan to issue $5,000 stimulus checks to taxpayers. He described this as a 'DOGE dividend', suggesting it could use savings identified by a hypothetical "Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)," according to reporting sourced in Pennsylvania. No further specific details about this proposal or its certainty have been provided by Trump.
Taxpayers who filed by the April 15 deadline and are awaiting a refund, which may include the $1,400 credit, can check its status. The IRS online tool "Where's My Refund" allows users to track their federal tax refund status.
After e-filing, refund status is typically available within 24 hours and is updated daily. Status updates show whether a return has been received, if the refund is approved for issuance, or if it has been sent. For electronically filed returns with direct deposit information, refunds typically arrive within 21 days once approved.
Paper checks may take 6-8 weeks. Estimated federal refund dates for electronically filed returns accepted by April 15 included May 6 for direct deposit or June 16 by mail. Taxpayers in Pennsylvania can check their state refund status through the Pennsylvania online portal.
Olivier Wagner stated, "There’s no need for fear. We've helped thousands of Americans become compliant without penalties. Right now, they can also claim the $1,400 stimulus check, which often covers much of the cost of catching up."
