Time is running out for eligible Americans to claim a $1,400 stimulus check from the IRS. The final deadline to file your 2021 tax return and receive the Recovery Rebate Credit is April 15, 2025.
This opportunity applies to individuals who missed claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) on their 2021 tax return – a refundable tax credit meant for those who didn’t receive all or part of the third COVID-19 stimulus payment.
What Is This $1,400 Payment?
The IRS had announced in December that nearly $2.4 billion in unclaimed stimulus money was available for distribution.
Each qualifying person could receive up to $1,400. These payments began in late 2024 and continued into early 2025, but a large portion of the money – over $1 billion – is still waiting to be claimed.
This specific payment refers to the third round of Economic Impact Payments issued in March 2021 as part of the government’s COVID-19 relief efforts.
While most eligible people received their checks during that time, many didn’t – especially those who hadn’t filed their 2021 tax return.
Who Needs to Act by April 15?
If you didn’t file your 2021 tax return, and you were eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit, you must file by April 15, 2025, to receive the payment. This is the same deadline for filing your 2024 taxes.
According to the IRS, about 1.1 million people haven’t yet filed their 2021 returns and could be entitled to the $1,400 stimulus payment.
Even if your income was very low or non-existent in 2021, you may still qualify. But to get the money, you must file your 2021 tax return.
Who Is Eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit?
The Recovery Rebate Credit was created to help people who didn’t receive the full amount of their COVID-19 stimulus checks.
The IRS issued three rounds of stimulus payments between 2020 and 2021. This particular credit applies to those who missed out on the third payment in 2021. You might be eligible if you:
- Didn’t receive the full $1,400 third stimulus payment.
- Didn’t file a 2021 tax return.
- Had an income that fell below the eligibility limit.
To be clear, the IRS says you should not include information about the first two stimulus payments (from 2020) on your 2021 return. Only the third payment is relevant for this Recovery Rebate Credit.
If you filed your 2021 tax return but did not claim the RRC, and you were eligible, the IRS has already begun sending payments automatically.
These started going out in December 2024 and continued through January 2025.
How to Check if You Already Claimed It?
If you’re unsure whether you’ve already claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit, take a look at your 2021 tax return. If the field for the credit is blank or marked $0, it means you didn’t claim it.
You can also log into your IRS online account and check the “Economic Impact Payment Information” section under your Tax Records. This section shows which stimulus payments you’ve received in the past.
If you believe you’re eligible and haven’t filed yet, don’t delay. File your 2021 return before April 15, 2025, to get the payment.
How Will You Receive the Money
Once you file your 2021 tax return and claim the credit, the IRS will send your payment automatically. You do not need to apply separately. The money will be:
- Direct deposited into the bank account listed on your latest tax return, or
- Sent as a paper check to your current mailing address.
If you were already issued the payment between December and January, you should have also received a notification letter confirming the amount and method of delivery.
How Much Can You Receive?
Eligible individuals can receive up to $1,400.
However, the exact amount depends on your adjusted gross income (AGI) in 2021:
- Single taxpayers earning up to $75,000 qualify for the full $1,400.
- Married couples filing jointly with income up to $150,000 also qualify for the full amount.
- Payments reduce gradually for those earning above the limit and phase out entirely for higher incomes.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
If you fail to file your 2021 return by April 15, 2025, you will lose your chance to receive this payment. The IRS has clearly stated that this deadline will not be extended, and unclaimed funds will not be paid after that.
This is a “use it or lose it” situation.
Final Reminder
The IRS is urging people to double-check whether they are eligible. If you didn’t get your third stimulus check or didn’t claim the Recovery Rebate Credit in 2021, you could still get up to $1,400 — but only if you act before April 15, 2025.
Don’t miss out. File your 2021 return today if you haven’t already.
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