If you missed out on the $1,400 stimulus payment during the pandemic, there’s still time to claim it — but the window is closing fast. The IRS has set April 15, 2025 as the final deadline to submit your 2021 tax return and request the Recovery Rebate Credit.
This is your last chance to collect the payment before it disappears for good.
When is the stimulus check deadline?
The IRS has made it clear: April 15 is the cutoff to file a backdated 2021 tax return and receive the third Economic Impact Payment, worth up to $1,400 per eligible person.
This deadline also applies to anyone who hasn’t filed their 2021 return but qualifies for a refund or federal tax credit — including the Recovery Rebate Credit.
Who qualifies for the $1,400 stimulus check?
To be eligible for the full 2021 stimulus payment, also called the third round of Economic Impact Payments, you must have:
- Been a U.S. resident in 2021
- Had a valid Social Security number
- Not been claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return
- Filed (or now file) a 2021 federal tax return
Income limits for eligibility:
- Single filers: Full $1,400 payment with adjusted gross income (AGI) up to $75,000
- Married couples filing jointly: Full $2,800 with AGI up to $150,000
- Head of household: Full amount with AGI up to $112,500
The credit phases out above these thresholds and drops to zero at:
- $80,000 for single filers
- $160,000 for joint filers
Families also received $1,400 per eligible dependent, so a family of four could receive up to $5,600.
Didn’t get the money? Here’s what to do.
If you didn’t receive the stimulus check in 2021, or you’re unsure, there’s still a way to claim it.
File your 2021 tax return: Even if your income was minimal — or you weren’t required to file that year — the IRS says you must submit a return to claim the credit.
Check your IRS online account: Create an account at IRS.gov and go to the “Tax Records” section. There, you can see whether the IRS shows a payment issued to you and whether your 2021 return was filed.
Claim the Recovery Rebate Credit: This credit appears on Line 30 of the 2021 Form 1040. Once processed, the IRS will send your payment via direct deposit or by check in the mail.
If you’re unsure — file anyway
Experts say if there’s any doubt about whether you received the check, it’s better to file.
“If there’s any doubt, you should file a 2021 return now,” said Syracuse University law professor Robert Nassau. “You could miss the deadline and lose your chance.”
How payments are sent
If eligible, your refund — including the Recovery Rebate Credit — will be:
- Deposited into the bank account on your 2023 tax return, or
- Mailed as a paper check to your last known address
The IRS will also send a letter confirming the payment once it’s issued.
Beware of scams
This time of year is prime for fraud. The IRS will never contact you by text, email, or social media to offer a stimulus check or ask for bank details. Always use official channels like IRS.gov.
Bottom line
If you missed your $1,400 stimulus check in 2021, this is your final shot to claim it. File your 2021 tax return by April 15, 2025, to request the Recovery Rebate Credit and secure your payment.
Don’t wait — once the deadline passes, you’ll lose the refund and the opportunity forever.
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