If you were self-employed in 2021 and missed work because of COVID-19, there’s a limited window left to claim what you’re owed. The SETC refund deadline is April 15, 2025, and if you don’t act now, you’ll lose your last chance to amend your 2021 IRS refund. This isn’t about deductions or estimated payments—it’s real money, up to $32,220, available as a non-taxable credit based on work you couldn’t do in 2021 due to the pandemic.
What the SETC Refund Covers
The Self-Employed Tax Credit (SETC) was created to compensate for lost income during COVID-19. It applies to anyone who filed a Schedule C in 2021, including:
- Freelancers
- Independent contractors
- Gig workers
- Small business owners
- Sole proprietors
If you had to stop working because you were sick, quarantined, or taking care of a child or relative with COVID-19, you may qualify.
The credit calculation is based on the number of days you couldn’t work and your net self-employment income for that year. Here’s the breakdown:
- Up to $511 per day for up to 10 days if you were sick or quarantined
- Up to $200 per day for up to 60 days if you cared for someone else
- The total refund can be as high as $32,220
You Can Still File or Amend Your 2021 Tax Return
Even if you’ve already submitted your 2021 return, you can still amend it. The IRS gives you three years from the original filing deadline to correct or update your return. That period ends on April 15, 2025.
Unlike your current year taxes, you can’t file an extension for this. Once the deadline passes, the opportunity to file or amend is gone for good.
Here’s what you need to claim:
- Your original 2021 return (Form 1040)
- Net self-employment income (Schedule C)
- The dates you couldn’t work due to COVID-19
- Form 1040-X (used to file an amended return)
- Personal identification
Why Many Missed It
Many self-employed individuals didn’t know about this credit when they filed their original 2021 return. The IRS didn’t include it automatically, and the burden fell on the filer to request it. Others assumed they didn’t qualify or believed it was too complicated to claim.
The truth is, if you were self-employed in 2021 and missed work for a COVID-related reason—even for part of a week—you could be eligible.
You don’t need to have been hospitalized. If you had COVID-19, had to isolate, or had to stay home to care for a child whose daycare or school was closed, you likely qualify.
How SETC Tax Return Can Help
We focus exclusively on helping self-employed individuals claim the credits they’ve earned. Our platform is built to make the filing process simple and accurate—especially if you’re amending a past tax return.
- We automate the steps so you don’t miss key details
- We help calculate the exact number of eligible days
- We file or amend your return quickly to meet the return deadline
Whether you’re a gig worker juggling multiple 1099s or one of many small business owners who kept things afloat through a tough year, we make it easy to claim what you’re owed. You don’t need to be a tax expert—we walk you through it.
Who Should File Before the SETC Refund Deadline?
If you were self-employed in 2021 and missed work due to COVID-19, you should seriously consider filing or amending your return before the SETC deadline.
This applies if you had COVID-19 yourself, had to quarantine due to exposure or symptoms, or stayed home to care for a sick family member. You may also qualify if your child’s school or daycare was closed and you had to stop working to provide care. These are all valid reasons under the self-employed tax credit guidelines.
You also need to have filed a Schedule C with net self-employment income for that year. That includes freelancers, independent contractors, gig workers, and small business owners. Even if you only missed a few days of work, the credit adds up—especially if those days fall under both sick leave and caregiving categories.
If any of these situations apply to you, and you haven’t claimed the refund, it’s worth taking action now before the window to file closes.
No More Extensions
Let’s be clear—this is different from your current tax filing deadline. For 2025, you can still file for an extension on your current return. But there are no more extensions available for your 2021 IRS refund. Once April 15 passes, the door is closed permanently. That applies even if you qualify and just haven’t gotten around to filing.
If you think you might be eligible, don’t wait. It takes time to pull together your records and submit the amendment, and the IRS doesn’t accept late filings for amended credits after the three-year window.
Let Us Help Before the Window Closes
At SETC Tax Return, our mission is to empower self-employed individuals with automated tax solutions that simplify this process. We’re here to help you claim every dollar you’ve earned—before it’s too late.
- Simple, secure online filing
- Fast turnaround to meet the deadline
- Friendly support to answer your questions
The SETC refund deadline is April 15, 2025. After that, you’ll lose access to a refund that could make a real difference. Don’t leave money on the table. To get started, click here or give our team a call at 888-738-2829.