IRS $1,400 Stimulus Check – Are You Eligible to Claim It Before April?

Did you miss out on your third stimulus check during the pandemic? You might still be eligible to receive up to $1,400 from the IRS through the Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC)—but there’s a catch. You need to file your 2021 tax return by April 15, 2025 to get it. Here’s everything you need to know before that deadline sneaks up on you.

Rebate

The Recovery Rebate Credit was part of the third round of stimulus checks included in the American Rescue Plan, passed in 2021 to help Americans weather the financial storm caused by COVID-19. While most eligible people got their payments automatically, over one million taxpayers may have missed it due to simple filing mistakes or thinking they didn’t qualify.

Reasons

So why didn’t everyone receive the payment the first time?

• Some left the RRC field blank or mistakenly reported it as zero on their 2021 tax return.
• Others simply didn’t file a tax return, assuming they weren’t required to—especially those whose only income came from non-taxable sources like Social Security.

The good news? It’s not too late. But the window is closing.

Deadline

If you haven’t filed your 2021 tax return, the IRS deadline is April 15, 2025. After that, the chance to claim this money vanishes. You won’t be able to request it through future returns or appeals. This is truly a “use it or lose it” scenario.

Even if you had little or no income, you can still file and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS has emphasized that this relief is especially intended for low-income individuals and families who might have slipped through the cracks.

Eligibility

To qualify for the RRC, you must meet the following conditions:

• You must have a valid Social Security number
• You cannot have been claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return
• You must not have already received the full third stimulus payment

The maximum payment is $1,400 per eligible person, so if you have a qualifying spouse or children, you may receive more.

Help

Not sure how to file? The IRS offers free filing options on its official website, making it easier for people with simple tax situations to complete their returns.

If you’re not sure whether you received the third stimulus payment, you can check your records by logging into your IRS online account, where you’ll see any past payments and credits applied to your name.

This is not just a refund—it’s a second chance. For many households, $1,400 can cover essentials like rent, groceries, or overdue bills. Don’t leave that money on the table.

FAQs