Your last chance to claim an IRS stimulus check is approaching

On: Wednesday, April 16, 2025 2:45 PM

Your last chance to claim an IRS stimulus check is approaching

Do you still need to file your 2021 return? And what about the IRS stimulus check, up to $1,400, that you never received in connection with that year? Not much time is left. The IRS made it clear that the last date for claiming a refund for your 2021 return was April 15, 2025. You will be entitled to that money beyond that date.

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Did not get the 2021 Stimulus Check? So, you qualify for Recovery Rebate Credit.

Under the special payment scheme, the IRS had provided individuals up to a maximum of $1,400 to alleviate hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many did not get this payment. In this eventuality, if you did not receive that check in 2021, you can claim a Recovery Rebate Credit under that tax return of that year.

Matthew Nassau, a Syracuse law professor and tax expert, states, “If you have not received the stimulus yet you have very little time left.”

Did the IRS send special payments? Are you one?

In December 2024, IRS announced the sending of automatic special payments to approximately one million filers who did not claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. The amount of payment can be up to $1,400 and will be based on the information from the 2023 return.

The IRS will send most payments by the end of January 2025 through direct deposit or by mail. If you have not gotten this payment so far, you may not have filed a return for 2021.

Create an IRS account to find out – did you get a stimulus payment?

So if you wish to know on whether the IRS was able to give you that stimulus payment or not, do go through the IRS website and create an online account. From there, under “Records & Status”, you should be able to see whether:

You filed a 2021 return
You received a stimulus payment

“This is the best way to check your status,” financial planning expert Tommy Lucas said.

And if you could lose out on the stimulus, you could lose out on other tax benefits
If you do not file your return by April 15, you not only lose out on the stimulus money but also stand to forfeit some additional tax credits, to wit

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Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

This credit aims at low-income persons to be able to receive refundable even if they have no tax to pay.

The IRS estimates that over $1 billion remains unclaimed for the 2021 tax year. Over 1.1 million taxpayers share this amount, with an average of $781. This figure does not include the Recovery Rebate Credit.
However, if you are filing your 2021 tax return through mail, then alert, with the awareness that it should be sent by certified mail. So you could establish the sending of the same before the deadline, i.e. April 15.
Robert Nassau states that he has seen many instances where tax returns got received by the IRS after the deadline, and they simply refused to even take it as received late. So, it’s really worth spending that 5 bucks to send by certified mail.”

Conclusion: There’s still time — get what you’re entitled to before April 15

Time is not running out on you it’s just around the corner-go and claim your dues before April 15.
If you have not filed your 2021 tax return this is one of the last weeks to submit and receive the stimulus payment for that year. The IRS will not refund after that, the last date being April 15, 2025. Get your papers prepared immediately, consult a tax specialist if you need, and stay away from missing out on a huge amount of money.

FAQs

Q1. What is the IRS stimulus check?

A: The IRS stimulus check, also known as an Economic Impact Payment, was financial assistance sent by the U.S. government to help Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Q2. Who is eligible to claim the stimulus check?

A: Individuals who didn’t receive the full amount of any stimulus payment but were eligible based on income, filing status, or dependent status can still claim it through the IRS using the Recovery Rebate Credit.

Q3. Why is this my last chance to claim it?

A: The IRS sets a deadline to claim unreceived stimulus payments. After that date, you may no longer be able to claim your money, even if you were eligible.