Don’t Miss Out! How to Claim Your $1400 Stimulus Check Before It’s Too Late

Many Americans still have a chance to claim a government stimulus check of up to $1,400. However, there is a limited amount of time left. If you didn’t get your third stimulus payment during the COVID-19 pandemic, you might still qualify for the money through a tax credit. To get it, you must file your 2021 tax return by April 15, 2025. This article explains who can get the money, how much, and what to do before the deadline.

What’s the Recovery Rebate Credit?

The Recovery Rebate Credit is part of the government’s effort to help people during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This credit gives money to people who didn’t receive the third round of stimulus checks.

If you didn’t get that third payment in 2021, you can still claim it when you file your 2021 tax return. But remember—you must file before April 15, 2025.

Who Can Get the $1,400 Stimulus Check?

You can qualify for the full $1,400 if:

• You filed as a single person and earned $75,000 or less in 2021.
• You are married and filed jointly, and your combined income was $150,000 or less.

The amount you get goes down (phases out) if you made more than these limits. If your income was:

• More than $75,000 (single) or
• More than $150,000 (married),

You might still get a smaller amount, but nothing if you made above $80,000 (single) or $160,000 (married).

Dependents also count. If you claimed any dependents on your 2021 tax return, you can receive $1,400 for each of them, no matter their age.

How Do I Claim the Money?

To claim your stimulus check, follow these steps:

1. Please ensure that your 2021 tax return is submitted by April 15, 2025.
2. Please ensure you provide your banking information to expedite the IRS payment process.
3. If you already filed and are eligible, the IRS may send the check automatically.

If you don’t file your 2021 tax return, you will not get the money. The IRS said clearly—no late payments, no extensions.

What Happens If I Miss the Deadline?

If you miss the April 15, 2025 deadline, you lose the right to claim the money. Thereafter, the unclaimed stimulus money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury.

The IRS allows people to file taxes and claim refunds for up to three years. Thereafter, the opportunity vanishes.

How many people still haven’t claimed?

According to the IRS:

• About 1.1 million Americans have not filed their 2021 tax return.
• That adds up to more than $1 billion in unclaimed tax refunds.
• The average refund for those who haven’t filed yet is about $781, and that’s not including the $1,400 stimulus.

The IRS paid approximately $2.4 billion in January 2025 to individuals who filed their 2021 taxes and owed money, including the Recovery Rebate Credit.

Why Filing Now Is So Important

If you wait too long, there may be processing delays. These delays can cause you to miss the deadline, even if you try to file on the last day. Filing now can

• Help you avoid delays
• Make sure your bank info is correct
• Get your money faster

The IRS has also said they will not automatically send payments to those who don’t file.

Final Reminder: Don’t Let Your Stimulus Check Expire

Many people still don’t know they can get this money. If you or someone you know missed out on the third stimulus check in 2021, there’s still time to claim it—but only if you act now. File your 2021 taxes before April 15, 2025, and you could receive up to $1,400 per person in your household.

This credit is refundable, meaning you get the money even if you don’t owe any taxes. Don’t miss your chance—you earned it.

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