If you missed out on the third round of stimulus checks during the COVID-19 pandemic, you still have a final chance to claim your payment—but only until April 15, 2025.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has given taxpayers a three-year window to file and claim refunds related to the 2021 tax year, including the $1,400 Economic Impact Payment, commonly called the third stimulus check.
After this deadline, the money will be permanently transferred to the U.S. Treasury and will no longer be claimable by any taxpayer.
Why April 15, 2025, Is So Important
The third round of stimulus payments was tied to your 2021 tax return. If you didn’t receive your full amount in 2021, or missed it completely, you can still get it by claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2021 return.
This deadline marks the end of the three-year claim period, which the IRS allows for tax refunds. After April 15, 2025, this refund will be considered forfeited, and the government will keep the money.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
If you do not file your 2021 return by April 15, 2025, here’s what will happen:
- You lose your $1,400 stimulus check, permanently
- You also lose any other refunds or tax credits from 2021
- The money becomes government property, and no exceptions are allowed
More than one million Americans may still be eligible to receive the payment, but only if they file before the cut-off date.
Who Should File Before April 15?
You must file if:
- You did not receive the full $1,400 in 2021
- You earned a low or no income in 2021 and didn’t file a return
- You were not required to file taxes but were still eligible for the payment
- You moved, changed jobs, or had life changes in 2021 that may have affected your eligibility
Many people, especially low-income households, may not realize that filing a return is still required to claim this payment—even if they usually don’t need to file taxes.
How to Claim the 2021 Stimulus Before the Deadline
Follow these simple steps to claim your missing 2021 stimulus:
- Collect your 2021 income records (like W-2, 1099, etc.)
- Download Form 1040 or 1040-SR from the IRS website
- On the form, fill in Line 30 for the Recovery Rebate Credit
- Submit your tax return by April 15, 2025—either online or by mail
You can also get free help through the IRS Free File Program or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), which is available for those earning under $64,000/year.
What About Penalties for Filing Late?
If you are owed a refund, there is no penalty for filing late. But if you owe taxes, the IRS may charge 0.5% interest per month on the unpaid amount. That’s why it’s always better to file—even if you think you don’t owe anything.