$1,400 Checks Are Back? The IRS Just Fixed a Major Mistake — See If You Qualify

If you’re wondering what happened to that third stimulus check — the one for $1,400 — you’re not the only one. A lot of people either never received it or didn’t realize they were even eligible. The IRS recently stepped in to help fix that for some folks, but not everyone will be able to claim it anymore.

So if you think you missed out, let’s walk through why that might’ve happened — and whether there’s still anything you can do.

First, What Was the $1,400 Stimulus?

This was part of the American Rescue Plan, passed in early 2021. It was the third major COVID-era stimulus payment and gave up to $1,400 to eligible individuals — plus extra for each qualifying dependent.

Most payments were sent automatically based on your 2019 or 2020 tax return, but it didn’t work out perfectly for everyone.

So Why Didn’t You Get Yours?

There are a few common reasons:

• You didn’t file a 2021 tax return, even though you needed to in order to claim the credit.

• You moved, changed banks, or the IRS didn’t have your correct info.

• You had a change in income or family size that made you eligible, but the IRS didn’t catch it.

• You simply didn’t know you had to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 return.

Whatever the reason, you’re not alone — over a million people were in this exact situation.

Here’s What the IRS Did

In late 2024, the IRS went through 2021 tax returns and realized a lot of people qualified for the $1,400 payment but hadn’t received it — usually because they didn’t claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.

So they fixed it.

If you filed your 2021 tax return and didn’t get the $1,400, the IRS began sending automatic payments starting in December 2024, with most arriving by early 2025. No need to refile or send in anything extra — they just processed the missed credit and sent the money out.

What If You Never Filed a 2021 Tax Return?

Here’s the tough part: the deadline to file and still claim the $1,400 was April 15, 2025. If you missed that, unfortunately, there’s no way to get the payment now.

The IRS has a strict time limit — usually three years — for claiming credits like this. That deadline has now passed.

What Should You Do Now?

It depends on your situation:

If you filed your 2021 taxes but never got the money:

• Check your bank account or mail from late 2024 and early 2025.

• Log into your IRS online account to see if a payment was issued.

• Look for IRS letters like Letter 6475 or Notice 1444-C — they show how much you were sent.

If you filed late (after April 15, 2025), or not at all:

• Sadly, there’s nothing more you can do to claim this particular payment.

This credit was a big help to millions of people — and it’s frustrating to find out you may have missed it. The IRS did try to correct some of the gaps by reviewing older returns, but if you never filed or filed too late, the opportunity is now gone.

If you’re unsure where you stand, your best bet is to check your IRS account or talk to a trusted tax professional. You don’t want to leave any money on the table — especially during times like these.

Need help checking your IRS info or finding out what credits you might still qualify for? I’m here to help. Just let me know.