IRS Stimulus Check – Are You Eligible for the $1,400 Payment? Check Criteria Here

If you thought stimulus payments were a thing of the past, think again. The IRS has confirmed that millions of Americans may still be eligible to receive a stimulus payment of up to $1,400—thanks to the Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) linked to the 2021 tax year.

While many people already received this payment, others missed out because they didn’t claim the credit or never filed their 2021 tax return. But there’s still time to fix that. The deadline is April 15, 2025, and if you qualify, this could be your last chance to get the money you’re owed.

Background

The $1,400 stimulus check in question comes from the third round of Economic Impact Payments under the American Rescue Plan. It was intended to help Americans manage the financial effects of the pandemic in 2021.

Now, the IRS is giving taxpayers one more shot at receiving this payment—either through automatic adjustments to already filed tax returns or by letting people file late returns and still claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.

The IRS estimates it will distribute around $2.4 billion in these payments.

Who Qualifies?

There are two main groups of people who may still receive the $1,400 payment:

1. People who filed a 2021 return but didn’t claim the credit

Some taxpayers left the Recovery Rebate Credit section blank or entered $0. The IRS is now reviewing those returns and automatically sending payments to those who are eligible.

2. People who haven’t filed a 2021 return yet

If you didn’t file a 2021 federal return, you could still be eligible for the full or partial payment. But you must submit your tax return by April 15, 2025 to claim it.

How to Check If You Claimed It

If you already filed your 2021 return, here’s how to check whether you claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit:

• Review Line 30 of your 2021 Form 1040 or 1040-SR.
• If it’s blank or listed as $0, and you didn’t receive the third stimulus, you may be eligible.
• You can also request an IRS transcript online to confirm what was filed.

If you’re not sure or can’t find your return, a tax professional or free IRS tools can help you figure it out.

How to Claim the Payment

There are two paths based on your situation:

If you already filed:

You don’t need to do anything. The IRS started sending automatic payments in December. Here’s what to expect:

• A letter from the IRS confirming the payment
• A direct deposit if you had banking info on file
• A paper check if you opted for mailed correspondence

If you haven’t filed:

You must submit your 2021 return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. Use Line 30 on Form 1040 or 1040-SR.

You can file using:

• IRS Free File (if you earn under $73,000)
• Tax software like TurboTax or H&R Block
• A professional tax preparer

Just make sure you file before April 15, 2025.

How Much Will You Get?

The maximum is $1,400 per eligible person. That means:

• Single taxpayers could get up to $1,400
• Married couples filing jointly could get up to $2,800
• Families could receive more with eligible dependents

However, the final amount depends on your income level, filing status, and how much you received from earlier stimulus rounds.

Important Tips

• If you had a baby in 2021, you could be eligible for an extra $1,400 for the child.
• If your income dropped in 2021 compared to 2020, you may now qualify—even if you didn’t before.
• You won’t get this payment if you earned over $80,000 as a single filer or $160,000 as a joint filer in 2021.

Avoid Common Mistakes

• Don’t assume you’re not eligible without checking.
• Don’t wait until the last minute to file your return.
• Don’t fall for scams—this is an IRS program, and no one will call or email asking for your personal details.

Millions of dollars in unclaimed stimulus money are still available—but only if you act before the deadline. Whether you already filed or still need to, it’s worth checking if you qualify. That $1,400 could go a long way toward covering rising costs or boosting your savings.

FAQs