If you never received your third pandemic stimulus check, you still have a chance, but time is running out because you only have a few days left. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has set April 15, 2025 as the deadline, and after that day you will lose your last chance to claim this payment forever.
The stimulus check is part of the American Rescue Plan, which was designed to provide financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, eligible taxpayers received the $1,400 stimulus check, but since then, more than 1.1 million taxpayers have yet to claim their money. According to the IRS, there is over $1 billion in unclaimed refunds.
What is the $1,400 Stimulus Check?
The $1,400 stimulus check was the third and final round of direct payments issued by the federal government to help American taxpayers cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. It targeted individuals earning less than $75,000 and couples earning less than $150,000. Many families also received additional payments for each additional dependent.
How to Claim the $1,400 Stimulus Check
If you didn’t file a tax return in 2021 or didn’t know you qualified, you’re at risk of missing out. However, the good news is that there is still a way to get this money if you act quickly.
To claim your check, you must file a federal tax return in 2021 and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. This is the official method the IRS uses to allow people who missed stimulus payments to claim them. The deadline to file your 2021 tax return and claim your Recovery Rebate Credit is April 15, 2025. If you miss this deadline, you will forfeit your right to receive the $1,400 stimulus check.
“If you didn’t get the stimulus, you’re running out of time,” said Robert Nassau, director of the Sherman F. Levey ’57, L’59 Low Income Taxpayer Clinic.
What to Do if You Filed a 2021 Tax Return, But Didn’t Claim the Recovery Rebate Credit?
If you filed your 2021 tax return but didn’t claim the Recovery Rebate Credit, the IRS will automatically send a check to all eligible taxpayers, so don’t worry. Some individuals have already received the payments, which will begin arriving in January 2025 by direct deposit and paper check based on the date you filed your return.
To check your status, you should create an online IRS account and view tax records to see if the stimulus check has been issued.
How Not to Miss Other Tax Breaks
To be eligible for other valuable checks and to avoid missing out on future checks, it is important to file your 2021 tax return. That is why the IRS is urging all Americans to log in to their IRS Online Account and view their tax records to check their filing status and make sure they are not missing out on money they have earned.
How to File Before the Deadline
There are two options: e-filing and mailing a paper return. For those who choose to mail, it is advisable to use certified mail to ensure proof of timely filing, now that the deadline is just days away.
“I’ve had situations where the IRS gets something after the filing date, and they just reflexively say it’s too late,” Nassau explained. “Spend the $5 and send it certified.”
Unfortunately, the e-filing option is a bit limited because many free software options do not support electronic filing for past years.
Conclusion
Americans have only a few days to claim the $1,400 stimulus checks, and if you miss the April 15, 2025 deadline, you will miss out on the money you are entitled to. With inflation and the rising cost of living, that extra $1,400 can make a huge difference.
An extra $1,400 can make a huge difference, especially for individuals and families who are already food insecure.” said Lisa Perkins, director of the UConn Law Tax Clinic.