The IRS just paid out 2.8 million surprise tax refunds — will you get one?

Millions of Americans still feeling the financial sting of the COVID economic crisis may be in line to receive a surprise tax refund in the coming weeks, thanks to the pandemic relief bill President Joe Biden signed earlier this year.

The Internal Revenue Service just distributed over 2.8 million refunds to taxpayers as automatic payments — meaning you don’t have to fill out any forms or sit on hold for an hour to get your money.

An unexpected refund might be a welcome windfall if you’ve been hoping for a bit more government money to help with expenses or to pay down debt. Here's a look at whether you might be getting some cash back from the IRS.

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Who's getting these tax refunds?

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Millions of Americans who lost their jobs during the first nine months of the crisis (including some who might still be looking for work) were forced to file for unemployment benefits for the first time as businesses closed or cut back operations.

Normally, unemployment benefits are taxed like any other income. But the pandemic rescue package Biden signed into law in March excludes from 2020 taxes up to $10,200 in unemployment compensation per taxpayer, or $20,400 for couples filing jointly.

Those who filed their taxes ahead of the COVID relief law may have overpaid based on what they thought they owed. If your income was below $150,000 in 2020 and you claimed federal unemployment benefits last year, you may have a surprise refund coming.

Some 40 million Americans received unemployment payments in 2020, according to the Century Foundation. The average beneficiary got $14,000 — and $10,200 of that is now tax-free, leaving only $3,800 that's taxable.

So far, the IRS has identified 13 million taxpayers who may be eligible for the adjustment. If you've been hoping for a fourth stimulus check, one of these refunds might be the next best thing, for now.