Don’t allow your cash to evaporate. Money that could legally belong to you (such as the missed stimulus payment of $1,400 in 2024) can still be claimed, but the clock is ticking against you.
With the final deadline set for April 15, 2025, over 1 million Americans may still be owed partial payment from the $1 billion unclaimed federal relief under the American Rescue Plan. If you’re curious about whether you or your loved ones fit the hitch, this guide leads you through everything needed to know-with heart, clarity, and urgency.
Who was Eligible for the $1400 Stimulus Check?
You potentially qualify for this $1,400 rebate if you satisfy the following two pretty simple conditions:
- You met the income and eligibility rules laid out for the third stimulus check in 2021.
- You haven’t yet received the full payment, either in check form, via IRS deposit, or as a credit on your 2021 tax return.
Let’s break down the most important eligibility rules.
Income Requirements
Filing Status | Full $1,400 Eligibility | Phases Out at |
---|---|---|
Single | Up to $75,000 | $80,000 |
Head of Household | Up to $112,500 | $120,000 |
Married Filing Jointly | Up to $150,000 | $160,000 |
Example: If you were single with an income of $77,000, you received a partial payment. But at $85,000, you were no longer eligible.
Other important criteria
- U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien in the year 2021.
- You and your spouse (if filing jointly) were required to have a valid Social Security Number (SSN).
- Dependents, including children and elderly family members, must have an SSN or ATIN.
- You never could have been claimed as someone else’s dependent.
What About Dependents?
For each qualifying dependent, you could add another $1,400 to your payment, even for adult dependents. If you had a baby in 2021 or otherwise gained a new dependent in 2021, you can still get funds, but only if you claimed them on your 2021 tax return.
You didn’t file taxes for 2020 or 2021
In fact, you never filed and did not receive benefits like Social Security, so the IRS cannot track you at all. A large portion of this demographic would be low-income families, seniors, and veterans. You may still be entitled-but you miss out if you do not file a 2021 tax return now.
Errors on Your Tax Return
Over a million Americans filed 2021 returns but forgot or wrongly claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit. The good news? In late 2024, the IRS began sending out correction payments.
How to Claim the $1 400 IRS Stimulus
- File a 2021 federal tax return immediately.
- Use IRS Form 1040 and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.
- If needed, file an amended return if you missed the credit on a return you already filed.
Don’t delay—you must file before April 15, 2025, or your money will be forfeited forever to the U.S. Treasury.
Frequently Asked Questions
I already filed in 2024. Can I still get the stimulus?
Yes, if you didn’t claim the Recovery Rebate Credit or made a mistake, you may need to file an amended return.
What if I didn’t earn income in 2024?
You’re still eligible! Stimulus checks were not based on income earned but on income reported. Even zero-income households qualified.
Can someone help me file?
Yes free tax help is available through the IRS Free File program or local nonprofit tax clinics.