If you never received the $1,400 stimulus check back in 2021, you’re not alone — and surprisingly, it’s not too late to claim it. The IRS is giving people one final chance to get the money, but there’s a deadline you need to know: April 15, 2025.
Wait, You Can Still Get the 2021 Stimulus?
Yes, really. That third round of stimulus checks — the one worth $1,400 per eligible adult — was sent out during the pandemic under the American Rescue Plan. But a lot of people either didn’t get it at all, received less than they should have, or never realized they were eligible.
The good news? If you missed out, the IRS has a way for you to still get paid. It’s called the Recovery Rebate Credit, and it’s claimed by filing a tax return for 2021. The bad news? If you don’t file that return by April 15, 2025, the money disappears for good.
Who Still Qualifies?
You might be eligible for the full $1,400 (or more if you have dependents) if your income was below certain levels in 2021:
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$75,000 or less if you were single
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$112,500 or less if you were a head of household
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$150,000 or less if you were married and filed jointly
Even if you had little to no income or weren’t required to file taxes that year, you could still qualify. This includes many older adults, students, and low-income workers. In fact, the IRS estimates over a million people may have missed their payment.
What You Need to Do
To claim the money, you’ll need to file a 2021 federal tax return — yes, even now in 2025. Here’s a simple breakdown:
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Get a 2021 Tax Return Form (Form 1040 or 1040-SR) – These are still available online at IRS.gov.
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Fill it out and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit – There’s a specific line for it: Line 30.
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Submit the return to the IRS – Either online using tax software or by mail.
Already filed a 2021 return but didn’t claim the credit? You can still file an amended return using Form 1040-X.
Not Sure How Much You Got (or Didn’t Get)?
Some people received partial payments back in 2021 based on outdated income data. If your situation changed — like your income dropped or you had a new baby — you might be owed more.
The easiest way to check is by reviewing IRS Letter 6475 (sent in early 2022) or logging into your IRS account online to see how much you actually received.
If the IRS gave you less than $1,400 per person, you can claim the difference through the Recovery Rebate Credit.
No Income? No Problem.
A common myth is that if you didn’t have income, you don’t qualify. That’s not true. You don’t need to have earned income to be eligible. But you do need to file that 2021 return to get the money.
And don’t worry — there’s no penalty for filing late if you’re just trying to get your stimulus check or tax refund.
You Might Qualify for Even More Money
If you’re already going through the trouble of filing a 2021 tax return, it’s worth checking to see if you qualify for other tax credits too. These include:
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Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – Could be worth up to $6,700 depending on your situation
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Child Tax Credit – Worth up to $3,600 per child for 2021
It’s possible that just by filing, you could walk away with thousands — not just $1,400.
Need Help Filing?
Don’t feel like you have to figure this out on your own. Free help is available through:
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IRS Free File – For people who made under $73,000
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VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) – Local volunteers help people file for free
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Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) – Especially helpful for seniors
Just go to irs.gov or call 1-800-829-1040 for more guidance.
Don’t Miss Out Again
The clock is ticking. After April 15, 2025, the opportunity to claim your 2021 stimulus check will be gone forever. So if you or someone you know missed out, now’s the time to act.
It’s your money — make sure you get it.
