While the tax season ends on April 15, 2025, there’s another urgent reason to mark that date on your calendar. More than 1 million Americans are still eligible to claim up to $1,400 from the 2021 stimulus payments, but if they don’t act before April 15, they could lose the money forever.
These payments were part of the Economic Impact Payments sent during the COVID-19 pandemic, but many eligible citizens either didn’t file their 2021 tax return or made a mistake while doing so. If you are one of them, this is your last chance to claim what is rightfully yours.
What Is the $1,400 Stimulus Check All About?
The $1,400 stimulus check was part of the U.S. government’s effort to help people during the COVID-19 crisis. It was sent to those who met certain income and tax-filing criteria under a federal program called the Recover Rebate Credit.
However, over 1 million taxpayers either:
- Did not file their 2021 tax return, or
- Left the “Recover Refund Credit” section blank, or
- Incorrectly claimed $0 in that section
As a result, the IRS still holds over $2.4 billion that remains unclaimed. The good news? There’s still time to fix it.
How to Claim Your Stimulus Money Before April 15
If you haven’t received your $1,400 stimulus check and think you may be eligible, you must file your 2021 tax return by April 15, 2025. That’s the only condition you need to meet.
Even if you earned very little or no income in 2021, you can still file your return and claim the payment. You don’t need to do anything extra if you’re eligible—the IRS will automatically send your payment after you file.
Here’s how the process works:
- If you have Direct Deposit, the money will go directly into your bank account
- If not, you’ll receive a paper check by mail
- You will also get an official letter confirming your payment amount and method
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
If you don’t file your 2021 tax return or claim the Recover Refund Credit by April 15, 2025, the money will be forfeited. That means:
- The U.S. Treasury will take back the funds
- You will lose the right to claim the $1,400
- There is no appeal or second chance once the deadline passes
This is a firm deadline, and once it’s gone, the money becomes government property and can be used for other expenses.
Who Should Act Now?
You should definitely file if:
- You didn’t file a 2021 tax return
- You earned low income or no income in 2021
- You think you might have missed out on the third stimulus payment
There’s no harm in filing, even if you don’t think you qualify—you might still get a pleasant surprise. If you’re unsure how to file, you can get help from free filing services or local tax assistance centers.