IRS Reveals $1 Billion in Unclaimed Refunds — Check If You Have Money Waiting

Millions of Americans may have unclaimed money sitting with the IRS — and the clock is ticking to claim it.

According to the IRS, more than 1.1 million people nationwide are still eligible to collect 2021 tax refunds totaling over $1 billion.

If you didn’t file your 2021 tax return, this could be your last chance to claim what’s rightfully yours.

You may have access to support you didn’t know about—find out more here!

 

Why Is There Over $1 Billion in Unclaimed Refunds?

• 2021 tax season was chaotic due to the pandemic and stimulus payments, causing many taxpayers to miss the filing deadline.
• Median refund per person is $781 — meaning half of the people could get more.
• Missing your refund could also mean missing out on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which could add up to $6,728 for those eligible.

Income thresholds applied for 2021 include:

• Up to $57,414 (married, 3+ kids)
• Up to $53,865 (married, 2 kids)
• Up to $48,108 (married, 1 kid)
• Up to $27,380 (married, no kids)

 

IRS Deadline: File by April 15, 2025

• Taxpayers have 3 years to claim tax refunds. For 2021, that window closes April 15, 2025.
• After that, unclaimed refunds become U.S. Treasury property — no exceptions.
• Refunds may also be used to cover unpaid debts, including child support and student loans.

 

How to Check & Claim Your Unclaimed 2021 Refund

• File your 2021 tax return ASAP
• Visit IRS.gov or:
  • File your 2021 tax return (Form 1040 or 1040-SR).
  • Gather missing forms (W-2, 1099) from employers or banks.
  • Use the IRS’s online account or request a wage transcript (Form 4506-T).
• For help, call the IRS at 800-829-3676 (800-TAX-FORM)

 

State-by-State Estimates of Unclaimed Refunds for 2021

Here’s how many people are potentially eligible in each state and the median refund owed:

• Alabama: 18,100 people — $743 median refund

• Alaska: 3,600 people — $832

• Arizona: 28,700 people — $680

• Arkansas: 10,200 people — $709

• California: 116,300 people — $600

• Colorado: 19,200 people — $781

• Connecticut: 11,700 people — $860

• Delaware: 4,400 people — $790

• District of Columbia: 2,700 people — $883

• Florida: 69,800 people — $732

• Georgia: 38,500 people — $720

• Hawaii: 5,500 people — $865

• Idaho: 5,500 people — $649

• Illinois: 44,500 people — $892

• Indiana: 25,000 people — $778

• Iowa: 10,900 people — $797

• Kansas: 9,700 people — $746

• Kentucky: 13,800 people — $747

• Louisiana: 17,000 people — $777

• Maine: 4,100 people — $817

• Maryland: 22,900 people — $837

• Massachusetts: 27,000 people — $936

• Michigan: 40,300 people — $854

• Minnesota: 15,900 people — $670

• Mississippi: 9,600 people — $701

• Missouri: 22,900 people — $722

• Montana: 3,600 people — $679

• Nebraska: 5,000 people — $760

• Nevada: 13,700 people — $783

• New Hampshire: 4,800 people — $833

• New Jersey: 31,700 people — $657

• New Mexico: 7,200 people — $843

• New York: 73,000 people — $995 (Highest median refund)

• North Carolina: 35,800 people — $719

• North Dakota: 2,400 people — $781

• Ohio: 39,400 people — $762

• Oklahoma: 15,400 people — $739

• Oregon: 19,300 people — $772

• Pennsylvania: 53,100 people — $993

• Rhode Island: 3,600 people — $946

• South Carolina: 14,400 people — $683

• South Dakota: 2,600 people — $745

• Tennessee: 21,000 people — $708

• Texas: 102,200 people — $810

• Utah: 8,700 people — $696

• Vermont: 2,400 people — $816

• Virginia: 28,500 people — $749

• Washington: 35,200 people — $880

• West Virginia: 4,800 people — $818

• Wisconsin: 14,300 people — $730

• Wyoming: 2,100 people — $790

This data is sourced from the IRS, read more here.

Continue exploring: Do You Have Unclaimed Money Waiting for You?

 

Don’t Miss Out on Unclaimed Money

$1 billion+ in unclaimed refunds could help Americans cover rising expenses, and energy bills, or save for emergencies.

Check your eligibility now — you may have free money waiting.

Visit IRS.gov or call 800-829-3676 to claim before April 15, 2025.

Previous article: A Simple Search Could Lead to Free Money—Here’s How to Check

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