The year 2021 was financially challenging for the citizens of America, and due to this, the government issued Economic Impact Payments, which we commonly call Stimulus Checks, to provide relief to the people. Millions of Americans received these stimulus checks, but surprisingly, even today there are thousands of eligible taxpayers who have not yet claimed this money.
If you have not yet filed your 2021 tax return, then you still have a chance. But the time is very short. April 15, 2025, is the last date to get this free money.
What is this $1,400 stimulus check?
This amount is part of the third stimulus check issued in 2021, which you can now claim through the Recovery Rebate Credit. This credit is for those who did not receive their check at that time or did not get the full amount.
The IRS tried very hard to ensure that as many Americans as possible could take advantage of this relief. But if you haven’t filed your 2021 tax return, the IRS can’t automatically send you this money.
IRS warning: Apply on time
The IRS has recently once again reminded people to file their 2021 tax return as soon as possible so that they can claim this amount of up to $1,400. If you don’t file by April 15, 2025, this money will remain with the government, and you will never get it.
This is especially important for people whose income is very low or zero. Such people often do not file taxes, but they can still be eligible for this Recovery Rebate Credit.
Are you eligible? The most common question
Many people have this question in their mind whether they are eligible for this credit or not. If you have not received your full stimulus amount in 2021, you can still claim this Recovery Rebate Credit.
The IRS is also providing a variety of information to help you, such as
- What to do if you didn’t get the full stimulus check in 2021?
- How do you get the credit if you weren’t required to file taxes in 2021?
- How to calculate the credit?
- How to amend a return if you’ve already filed?
How to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit?
- File a 2021 tax return — even if you have little to no income.
- Use Form 1040 or 1040-SR.
- You’ll need to know the amount of your third Economic Impact Payment to correctly calculate the credit.
- Claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your return.
- If you’ve already filed a return but missed it, amend it.
This process may take some time to complete, but it can net you up to $1,400 – and the money can be added directly to your tax refund or adjusted against your overdue taxes.
This is one last chance – don’t miss it
When the government is giving away free money, it’s not wise to miss it. Especially when all you have to do is file a simple tax return. This is not just for those who are struggling financially, but for anyone who was eligible in 2021 but didn’t get the full or partial stimulus.
The April 15, 2025, deadline is just around the corner. After that, the money will be gone forever.
Conclusion: Act now
If you or someone you know hasn’t filed a 2021 tax return, now is the time. You can fill out the form or get help from a tax professional by visiting the IRS website. It’s a one-hour job that could net you up to $1,400 in relief.
So don’t delay — this is an opportunity you can’t afford to miss.
FAQs
Q. Who is eligible to claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit?
A. Anyone who did not receive the full amount of their third stimulus check in 2021 and meets the income and residency requirements may be eligible.
Q. What is the deadline to claim the 2021 stimulus payment?
A. You must file a 2021 tax return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit by April 15, 2025.
Q. Can I claim the credit if I have low or no income?
A. Yes, even if you have little or no income and are not normally required to file taxes, you can still claim the credit by filing a 2021 return.
Q. How much money can I receive from this credit?
A. You could receive up to $1,400 per eligible person, including dependents.
Q. What if I already received part of the stimulus check?
A. If you only received a partial payment in 2021, you may still be eligible for the remaining amount by claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit.