Time is running out to claim your $1,400 stimulus payment. The IRS has issued a final reminder: the deadline to file your 2021 tax return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit — worth up to $1,400 — is April 15, 2025.
The IRS maintains a strict three-year window to file back tax returns and claim refunds. For tax year 2021, that window closes this month. According to the agency, more than 1.1 million Americans may still be eligible to receive their missing stimulus payment or other credits by filing their return before the cutoff.
What’s at Stake: $1,400 Stimulus Payment
The third and final round of stimulus payments — up to $1,400 per person — was distributed in 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan. While most Americans received their payment automatically, some eligible taxpayers didn’t receive the funds due to missing or incomplete tax filings.
Those who never got the full stimulus can still claim the money through the Recovery Rebate Credit by filing a 2021 tax return. But after April 15, that opportunity disappears for good.
“If you didn’t get the stimulus, you’re running out of time,” said Robert Nassau, a law professor and director of the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic at Syracuse University.
How to Check if You Got the Payment
Not sure whether you received the stimulus payment? You can find out by logging into your IRS online account at IRS.gov. Under the “Records and Status” section, check your tax transcripts and payment records to see if a $1,400 third stimulus payment was issued.
“That’s the best place to look,” said Tommy Lucas, a certified financial planner and enrolled agent at Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo in Orlando, Florida.
Lucas also notes that your account will indicate whether you filed a 2021 tax return — crucial for anyone unsure if they’ve already submitted their paperwork.
IRS Sent Special Payments, But You Might Still Need to File
In December 2024, the IRS announced it would begin automatically sending “special payments” of up to $1,400 to roughly 1 million taxpayers who didn’t claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. These payments, based on information from 2023 tax returns, were expected to arrive by late January 2025.
However, not all eligible individuals will receive their payments automatically. If your 2023 return was not filed or lacked necessary information, you may still need to file a 2021 tax return to claim your stimulus payment.
Don’t Miss Out on Other Tax Breaks
Filing your 2021 return by April 15 isn’t just about the stimulus. The IRS estimates over $1 billion in unclaimed refunds for tax year 2021. The median refund is about $781 — and that doesn’t even include the Recovery Rebate Credit.
Other credits you could miss out on include:
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) — which can trigger a refund even if you don’t owe taxes.
- Child Tax Credit (CTC) — which was temporarily expanded in 2021.
Failing to file in time means leaving potentially thousands of dollars on the table.
Filing Tips: Proof Matters
Free filing options are still available for many taxpayers. But be aware: not all providers offer electronic filing for prior-year returns. If you must mail your 2021 return, experts recommend doing so via certified mail to prove it was sent on time.
“I’ve had situations where the IRS gets something after the filing date, and they just reflexively say it’s too late,” Nassau said. “Spend the $5 and send it certified.”
The IRS typically considers a tax return timely if it is postmarked by the deadline — April 15, 2025 — so proof of mailing is essential if you’re cutting it close.
2025 Tax Season Tips: Watch for Scams
With tax season in full swing, scams targeting taxpayers are also on the rise. Be wary of emails or texts claiming to offer stimulus checks or tax refunds. The IRS will never contact you by phone, email, or social media to ask for personal information.
To stay safe, access your IRS account only through the official website and verify any payment status or return information directly.
Bottom Line
If you never received your 2021 stimulus payment, don’t delay. File your 2021 tax return before April 15, 2025, to claim up to $1,400 that is rightfully yours. After that date, your chance to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit — and any associated refund — will vanish for good.
– Stimulus Updates and News from FingerLakes.1com
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