IRS Deadline for $1,400 Stimulus Passed — Did You Just Miss Free Money?

If you were still holding out hope of claiming your $1,400 stimulus payment from the federal government, the window has officially closed. April 15, 2025, marked the final day to file a 2021 tax return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit — the official route for those who missed the third round of COVID-19 stimulus payments back in 2021.

This wasn’t just another tax deadline. For many Americans, especially those hit hard during the pandemic, it was the last chance to get a much-needed financial boost. Here’s a breakdown of what this means, who was eligible, and what options are left for those who missed out.

Why This Deadline Mattered

The $1,400 checks were part of the American Rescue Plan Act passed in March 2021. While most people received the payment automatically based on their 2020 or 2019 tax returns, others — especially those with lower incomes, no income at all, or those who didn’t normally file tax returns — had to take extra steps.

To claim the money if it didn’t arrive automatically, people needed to file a 2021 tax return and indicate the missed payment through the IRS’s Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS gave taxpayers three years from the original filing deadline to do that — bringing us to April 15, 2025.

Who Was Eligible?

Eligibility for the third stimulus check was based on income:

• Individuals earning $75,000 or less qualified for the full $1,400.

• Married couples filing jointly could receive $2,800 if their combined income was $150,000 or less.

• Heads of household qualified if they made $112,500 or less.

The payment gradually decreased for those above the income limits, phasing out entirely for single filers earning $80,000 or more, joint filers at $160,000, and heads of household at $120,000.

IRS Issued Surprise Payments in 2025

In a bit of good news earlier this year, the IRS began issuing automatic payments to about 1 million people who had filed a 2021 return but didn’t claim the credit. If the IRS found they qualified, they sent out the money — no action needed.

Those payments, totaling nearly $2.4 billion, started rolling out in late December 2024 and continued through early 2025. Most people received them by direct deposit or check by the end of January.

But for those who hadn’t filed at all by April 15, that automatic help didn’t apply.

What Happens If You Missed the Deadline?

Unfortunately, if you didn’t submit a 2021 tax return by April 15, 2025, and you were eligible for the credit, it’s too late to claim the money. The IRS has a strict three-year window for refunds and credits — and once that door closes, there’s no way to reopen it.

This also serves as a reminder: even if you don’t owe taxes, filing a return can be critical when it comes to accessing government benefits like stimulus payments, tax credits, or health insurance subsidies.

What You Can Do Now

While you can no longer claim the 2021 stimulus payment, it’s still worth checking whether you’re eligible for other tax credits that may still be within the filing window — such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit (CTC). These could still be claimed if you missed filing your 2022 or 2023 tax returns.

You can visit IRS.gov for more information or to connect with free tax filing assistance.

If you haven’t yet filed your 2021 return, the opportunity to claim the $1,400 stimulus check has passed. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore your taxes altogether. Other benefits may still be on the table — and it’s always better to file late than never.