CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) - Does the Internal Revenue Service owe you money?  According to the federal agency, nationwide there are $1 billion in unclaimed funds from 2020. The money is part of COVID-19 stimulus funds. This means millions of dollars unclaimed in North and South Carolina. An IRS spokesperson says over $29 million in North Carolina and over $12 million in South Carolina. These are the checks sent out by the government during the pandemic. Many people received the $1,200 sent out by the government to stimulate the economy in the spring of 2020. Many people received the funds because the IRS had a prior tax return, a W-4 from an employer was on file, or they were receiving some kind of government assistance. "There's a three-year statute of limitations and the government keeps the money," adds Rodney Foushee, spokesperson for the Internal Revenue Service. "So, the deadline is May 17 of this year. There was an extension back then because of COVID, so folks have until May 17, 2024, to file for those 2020 credits." However, the people the agency is looking for could be retirees who worked a part-time job, students who didn't think they needed to file, or someone who by chance forgot to file. "We estimate about 30,000 people in North Carolina still haven't filed for those COVID credits and all they have to do is file an income tax return," said Foushee. On average the check could mean an extra $895 in the pocket of qualified North Carolina taxpayers and $840 for South Carolina residents who didn't claim the credit. To check and see if you have a credit for 2020 or 2021, click here.