How to Claim the $1,400 Stimulus Before the IRS Deadline

There’s still time to claim your missing $1,400 stimulus payment—but not much. The IRS has confirmed that around one million Americans may still qualify for the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. This credit is meant for individuals who missed the third round of stimulus checks sent out during the pandemic. The deadline to claim it is fast approaching: April 15, 2025.

If you didn’t receive the full $1,400—or anything at all—you might still be eligible. The only way to get it now is by filing a 2021 federal tax return, even if you weren’t required to file that year. Many people in this situation still don’t know they qualify.

Deadline

The Recovery Rebate Credit ties directly to the 2021 tax year. That means Tax Day 2025 is your last chance to file and receive the payment. If you wait until April 16, the money is gone—returned to the U.S. Treasury for good.

The original stimulus was part of the third round of Economic Impact Payments during the pandemic. But not everyone got it. People with low or no income, those who didn’t typically file taxes, and others in unique life situations may have been left out.

Eligibility

To claim the full $1,400 credit, here’s what you need:

• You were a U.S. citizen or resident alien in 2021
• You weren’t listed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return
• You had a valid Social Security Number issued before the return due date
• Your income in 2021 met the eligibility guidelines

Here’s a quick breakdown of the income requirements:

If your income fell between the “full” and “phased out” ranges, your credit was reduced but not eliminated.

Reasons

Still unsure if you might qualify? You might be one of the people who missed out because:

• You had zero or very low income in 2021 and didn’t file a return
• Your income dropped compared to 2020, making you newly eligible
• You had a child or added a dependent in 2021
• You were in prison, homeless, or facing other life challenges
• You simply never received the payment and didn’t realize you could claim it

If any of these sound like you, it’s worth filing.

Process

If you’ve already filed your 2021 tax return and didn’t claim the credit, don’t worry—the IRS may automatically send your payment if you qualify. Watch your mail or bank account.

But if you didn’t file at all, here’s how to do it:

1. Visit the IRS Free File site if your income was under $73,000
2. Use a tax software or fill out Form 1040 manually
3. On the return, look for the Recovery Rebate Credit section
4. File your return by April 15, 2025

You don’t have to owe taxes to get the payment. This credit is refundable, which means the IRS will send you the money even if your tax bill is zero.

Payment

Once you file, the IRS will send your refund as a direct deposit or paper check, depending on how you filed your most recent return. The amount you receive will reflect the $1,400 per eligible individual, plus $1,400 for each qualifying dependent.

Time is running out. Whether you’re a student, retired, unemployed, or simply thought you weren’t eligible—don’t miss this chance. A few steps today could mean hundreds or even thousands in your pocket.

FAQs