Millions of Americans are still eligible for funds that remain uncollected, but time is almost running out. The IRS is letting taxpayers know that April 15, 2025, is the final cut-off date to claim a 2021 tax return and get up to $1,400 thanks to the Recovery Rebate Credit.
This stimulus money was the third part of the federal Covid-19 relief payments issued in 2021. Up to 1.1 million people did not receive their payment due to the fact that they did not claim it, according to the IRS.
This is your last chance to obtain the money you are entitled to if you have not done so yet, or else, the money disappears for good.
What does the $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit mean?
The Recovery Rebate Credit was issued by the federal government to support Americans during the Covid-19 pandemic. The credit offered a chance for those who qualified and did not get their third Economic Impact Payment (also known as a stimulus check), to claim the payment by sending a 2021 tax return.
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The whole credit was:
- $1,400 for individuals
- $2,800 for married couples who file a joint return
- An additional $1,400 for each dependent
This was part of the American Rescue Plan Act signed into law in March 2021.
The IRS has said that those who did not file a 2021 return or were previously ineligible may still qualify and need to act quickly. The official IRS notice can be viewed here.
here.
Who Is Eligible?
To claim the total amount of the stimulus check, the following application shall establish that:
- You have been a U.S. citizen or resident alien throughout 2021.
- No one else will have included you as a dependent in their return.
- You have a valid Social Security number.
- Your adjusted gross income (AGI) should not be over:
- $75,000 for individuals
- $112,500 for head of household
- $150,000 for married couples filing jointly
Payments are reduced once the above limits were reached. As an example, someone who was earning $80,000 or more would not get the total amount.
Why the Credit Is Still Unclaimed by So Many
A large number of those who are actually eligible didn’t file for a 2021 return. This might be people who are:
- Individuals with low or no income
- Students or part-time workers
- Retirees with Social Security as their main income source
- Those unaware of themselves being eligible for the credit
Even if they received the previous stimulus checks, the IRS doesn’t send the payments out automatically to the people who haven’t submitted their due return. So the only way is to file a 2021 tax return by April 15, 2025, in order to receive your due.
Where and How to Submit and Get the Payment
If you still haven’t filed a 2021 return, you are not too late and still can. In the following way:
- Go to the page of IRS Forms & Instructions and download Form 1040 for the tax year 2021.
- The document should either be sent by mail or be filed through a tax service that still works with 2021.
- If you prefer the money to arrive in your account fast, be certain that your account details are included for deposit by the IRS itself.
Even if you did not have income in 2021, a return must be filed without any exception to be able to receive the Recovery Rebate Credit. E-filing is preferred by the IRS, however, older returns may be sent by mail.
What to Do If You Do Not Make the Deadline?
In case you missed the deadline and did not file a 2021 return by April 15, 2025, it means you would have lost out on the opportunity to claim the payment. Similarly, the IRS does not refund credits once the three-year time limit is up.
Besides, it is good to note that even if you were confirmed as eligible and still did not get the payment, the U.S. Treasury would take back the money.
Other Benefits Which May Be Obtainable
While doing your 2021 taxes be sure to also see if you are eligible for other credits:
- The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)— based on their income and family size, earners could get as much as $6,728 in this credit
- The Child Tax Credit
- Any missing payments from earlier rounds of stimulus
If you haven’t already received them, the only way to get these credits is to file a return.
Last Few Words
In case you have never been sent a $1,400 stimulus payment from 2021, this is your last chance back. The IRS has definitely communicated the deadline: up to April 15, 2025, you can still claim a 2021 return and what is legally yours.
Look the IRS’s official Recovery Rebate Credit page up for complete instructions and forms.
