Some US residents might be unaware they are still entitled to a $1,400 stimulus check, which can lead to them missing a significant opportunity. Of course, the question is not only about that: they should hurry up. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has advised Forbes that the total number of taxpayers who didn’t get their third-round stimulus payment is about 1.1 million. The last date to claim the payment is 15th April 2025.
This financial aid, introduced under the American Rescue Plan Act, has been made available to the public in 2021 for the purpose of relieving the adverse effects that the pandemic has caused. If you forgot about it, you may still be in line to get it—only if you are quick enough to claim it before the deadline set by the IRS.
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Who Is Still Eligible?
Apart from the fact that you have to get the money now or miss it, you are only supposed to meet the following two requirements:
- You received the third stimulus check in 2021.
- There was no transaction involving it, no matter whether by a check, direct deposit, or even as a credit made towards your tax.
If both the first and the second are correct for you, then you still can file for the money using what is called the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. This is a credit that you can claim when filing your 2021 tax return. After submission, if for the IRS, the amount is to be processed and paid to you, the agency will do this – provided, of course, if you meet the conditions.
Stimulus Income Limits and Requirements
The initial $1,400 stimulus check was distributed to the individuals who fell into specific income brackets. In other words, the recipient’s income had to be low enough for them to be eligible to receive the check. These were based on your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI):
- Single: Full payment was given to those who had a $75,000 AGI or less. The payment was gradually reduced and $80,000 was the income phase-out limit.
- Married filing jointly: If you are a married person who has filed a joint return, you were entitled to a full payment up to $150,000 in total. However, the subsidy was falling off gradually after $160,000 had been crossed.
- Head of household: The amount of the full payment reached $112,500. However, in stages, it was declining and $120,000 was the phase-out limit.
In addition, only individuals who could prove American citizenship and residency and most importantly, who had a social security number, were eligible to receive a stimulus check. Furthermore, those who were named as dependents on the tax return of another person were not given the option of getting their own check in 2021.
Yes, new parents and new dependents of 2021 will qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit as long as you listed them on your tax return for that year.
What did they do wrong?
Even though the IRS delivered millions of checks, a considerable number of eligible people still didn’t receive it. The reasons are given below:
- You did not file the tax return for 2020 or 2021. The IRS didn’t have your info.
- In 2021, you had a new baby or dependent, but the IRS did not know about it.
- Your 2020 income was so big that you were not qualified for the stimulus, but in 2021 it dropped making you become eligible.
- You have made an error in your 2021 tax return and missed the section for rebate credit.
- The IRS dispatched the check, but it was missing, returned, or sent to an old bank account.
In late 2024, the IRS discovered that over 1 million people made tax filing errors, which resulted in them not receiving the credit. The IRS thus started issuing automatic payments in December 2024 and January 2025, which totaled around $2.4 billion to rectify the situation.
Nevertheless, some people did not get their money. Thus, those that didn’t receive should submit a tax return for 2021 now and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit manually.
The ways to apply for and obtain the money
If you failed to file a 2021 tax return or make an error, you are still eligible to file before April 15, 2025. That’s the last date you can do so in order to claim the $1,400. When the deadline passes, the money will be returned to the U.S. Treasury, and it will be lost forever.
You can file your taxes online by using tax software or collaborating with a tax professional. The main point is to ensure that the Recovery Rebate Credit is recorded accurately on your return.
There is no need to send another request for a stimulus check — it is all handled through the tax form.
If You Have Already Filed
In case the credit had been already claimed or the payment was issued by the IRS, you have probably got it between December 2024 and January 2025. You can re-check your status by accessing your IRS account online.
If the check was mailed but you lost it, you might still have the chance to get the payment traced back to you — but only in case the IRS confirms that it was not cashed.
Last Minute Point
Vast numbers of citizens of the US are likely to be not getting the money they are owed. If you haven’t received your $1,400 third-round stimulus check and think you are eligible, then this is your final opportunity to claim it. Once the deadline of April 15, 2025, comes, this chance is lost forever.
Keep updated on the status. Check if you are eligible for the tax rebate in 2021. And ensure you don’t miss the expiration date. The IRS is not going to remind you — however, you could still regain what belongs to you.
Find a full description of eligibility criteria and get the latest information by visiting the official IRS Recovery Rebate Credit page.
