If you’re one of the many Americans who didn’t receive the $1,400 stimulus payment from 2021, this is your last chance to claim it. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has reminded everyone that April 15, 2025, is the final deadline to file your 2021 tax return and request this refund. After that, you will no longer be able to claim the money, and the funds will go back to the U.S. Treasury.
This refund is part of the American Rescue Plan, a relief program started during the COVID-19 pandemic to help people recover financially. But many people missed the payment, especially those with low income or no recent tax filings.
Who Is Eligible for the $1,400 IRS Refund?
To get the full $1,400 payment, you must meet these income conditions based on your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) in 2021:
Single individuals earning less than $75,000
Married couples earning less than $150,000
If your income was higher, you may still get a partial amount, depending on how far above the income limit you were. The IRS will calculate this based on your 2021 tax return.
This refund is for those who didn’t receive the third stimulus check issued in 2021. If you qualified but missed it, this is your last opportunity to claim the money.
How to Claim the $1,400 Refund Before the Deadline
According to the IRS, more than 1.1 million taxpayers still haven’t claimed their 2021 refunds. In total, over $1 billion is waiting to be distributed. But if people don’t act by April 15, 2025, this money will be lost forever.
To claim your refund, you need to:
File your 2021 tax return before April 15, 2025
Collect required documents, including:
Income statements
Any other 2021 financial records
If you already filed your 2021 return but didn’t include the Recovery Rebate Credit, you can file an amended return using Form 1040-X to correct it.
The IRS will send your refund by Direct Deposit or a paper check, using your updated 2024 bank details. Make sure the information is correct to avoid any delays.
Why This Refund Matters
This $1,400 refund comes from the American Rescue Plan, which aimed to help people recover from the effects of the pandemic. However, many people—especially the elderly, unemployed, or homeless—may have missed the payment because they didn’t file a tax return in 2021.
Experts say that if you’re unsure whether you got the payment or not, file your 2021 return anyway, just to be safe. You may qualify and not even realise it.
Community groups across the country are offering free tax help to assist vulnerable people in filing their returns before the deadline.
No Extensions After April 15, 2025
The IRS has clearly stated: There will be no deadline extensions. If you don’t file your 2021 return by April 15, 2025, you lose your right to claim the $1,400 refund permanently.
A spokesperson for the IRS said, “Millions of dollars go unclaimed every year, and it’s usually the low-income families who lose out. It’s important to act now.”
Also see:- Alaska’s 2025 Permanent Fund Dividend and the $1,400 Stimulus Check Deadline: What You Need to Know
