In March 2021, less than two months after President Biden took office, he signed the American Rescue Plan Act. This bill provided $1.9 trillion in funding for businesses, workers, and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the most popular provisions was the $1,400 Economic Impact Payment, or “stimulus check,” which was distributed to millions of Americans.
This third round of stimulus payments saw around $400 billion allocated to over 175 million Americans. While most people automatically received their payment based on their 2020 tax returns, there were millions who did not file a return and therefore had to claim the payment themselves through their 2021 tax return.
The IRS made efforts to reach out to these taxpayers, but due to the complicated process of filing taxes, many eligible individuals still missed the chance to claim their $1,400. Fortunately, the IRS recently identified around a million taxpayers who are still owed the money, and many of them should be receiving their checks by the end of January 2025.
In a statement, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel explained, “To minimize headaches and get this money to eligible taxpayers, we’re making these payments automatic, meaning these people will not be required to go through the extensive process of filing an amended return to receive it.”
Who Will Receive the $1,400 Stimulus Payment, and Who Won’t?
If you already received the third stimulus payment or claimed it through the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, you won’t need to take further action. The IRS will automatically send funds to eligible individuals who filed a 2021 tax return but didn’t claim the payment.
For those who never filed a tax return in 2021, you still have a chance to submit one to the IRS. But time is running out. The deadline to claim the third stimulus check through the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit—and any other tax refunds you may be eligible for—is April 15, 2025.
If you’re unsure whether you’ve received the payment, you can check your tax records online using your ID.me account. Not only can you check your tax records, but you can also access Social Security information and ensure your digital identity is protected across various websites.
Eligibility for the $1,400 Stimulus Payment
The income limits for the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit are the same as those for the previous rounds of stimulus checks. For a single filer, your income must be under $75,000. For head of household filers, the limit is $112,500, and for married couples filing jointly, it’s $150,000.
However, the phase-out for eligibility in this third round was faster than the previous two rounds. So, if you earned above these thresholds, you might still have been eligible for a smaller payment. The phase-out limits for the third round were $80,000 for single filers, $120,000 for head of household filers, and $160,000 for married couples filing jointly.
Act Quickly to Claim Your Payment
The “last call” for claiming your $1,400 stimulus payment is fast approaching. To make sure you get your money, file your 2021 tax return before the April 15, 2025 deadline. Remember, if you’re eligible, you won’t have to file an amended return—you’ll receive the payment automatically.
For those who are eligible but haven’t yet filed, it’s important to act soon to ensure you don’t miss out on this final opportunity to get your stimulus check.
Disclaimer – Our team has carefully fact-checked this article to make sure it’s accurate and free from any misinformation. We’re dedicated to keeping our content honest and reliable for our readers.
